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UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


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DUPLICATE 


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THE 


YOUNG  MAN^S  GUIDE 


TRUE  GREATNESS. 


KEY.  J.  W.  KASEY. 


BIG  SPEIYG,  XT.: 
PUBLISHED  BY  THE  AUTHOE. 
1858. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1858, 

By  EEV.  J.  W.  KASET, 

in  the  Clerk’s  OflBce  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States 
for  the  Southern  District  of  Ohio. 


Stereotyped  at  the  Franklin  Type  Foundry,  Cincinnati,  O. 
Printed  by  T.  ‘Wrightson  k.  Co. 


i 0 

Ki^ 

1 9 6*8 

CON^TENTS. 


PAGE 

INTRODUCTION, 5 

ESSAY, 13 

LECTURE  I. 

The  necessity  of  Knowledge, 19 

LECTURE  n. 

The  kind  of  Knowledge  to  be  obtained, 37 

LECTURE  III. 

The  means  of  acquiring  Knowledge, 57 

LECTURE  IV. 

The  Laws  of  Nature,  or  the  government  of  the  natural 

world, 77 

LECTURE  V. 

Duty  to  Parents, 97 

LECTURE  VI. 

Patriotism,  or  love  of  our  country, 118 

LECTURE  VII. 

Intemperance — its  evils, 140 

LECTURE  VIII. 

Formation  of  a good  moral  character, 163 

LECTURE  IX. 

Means  of  success  in  life, 188 

(iii) 


IV 


CONTENTS, 


LECTURE  X. 

Means  of  success  in  life — continued, 206 

LECTURE  XI. 

Evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity, 226 

LECTURE  Xn. 

Bible  a Divine  revelation, 249 

LECTURE  XTTT 

Bible  a Divine  revelation, — continued — Three  objections 

answered, 264 

LECTURE  XTV. 

Necessity  of  investigating  Christianity  as  a science, 280 

LECTURE  XV. 

The  advantages  of  reading  the  Bible, 294 

LECTURE  XVI. 

The  Sabbath  as  a moral  institution, 312 

LECTURE  XVn. 

A Sermon  or  Lecture  on  Divine  direction, 327 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  presenting  the  following  lectures  to  the  pub- 
lic, we  are  well  apprised  of  the  fact,  that  very  few 
writers  possess  the  ability  to  please  all  who  may 
read  their  writings.  Objections  are  often  urged 
against  the  writings  of  those  whose  works  have 
accomplished  a vast  amount  of  good.  While  one 
objects  to  the  language  used  by  a certain  author, 
and  another  to  his  style,  others  seem  to  admire 
both  the  language  and  style  of  the  same  author. 
Hence,  while  the  writings  of  some  of  the  most 
popular  and  distinguished  writers  of  the  age  are 
greatly  admired  by  some,  they  are  severely  criti- 
cised and  censured  by  others.  And,  as  we  have 
but  little  expenence  as  a writer,  it  may  be  ex- 
pected that  some  things  have  escaped  our  notice, 
in  the  following  work,  which  should  be  corrected. 

Our  object  has  been,  however,  not  so  much  to 
please  the  fancy,  or  to  bathe  the  skill  of  the  critic, 
as  to  instruct  the  young,  who  have  but  little 
experience  of  the  ways  of  the  world,  and  to  di- 
rect their  attention  to  those  moral  principles  and 
sentiments  which  may,  in  future,  induce  them  to 
shun  the  ways  of  vice,  and  pursue  the  paths  of 
virtue  and  happiness. 

When  we  look  over  .this  country,  and  see  hun- 

(5) 


6 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


dreds  and  tliousands  of  young  men,  some  of  whom 
are  just  engaging  in  the  busy  scenes  of  life,  and 
others  just  coming  to  the  years  of  maturity,  well 
may  we  ask,  “ What  will  they  accomplish  in  the 
after-time  of  their  lives?  Will  they  take  rank 
with  the  benefactors,  or  with  the  scourgers  of 
their  race  ?”  Will  they  be  governed  by  the  moral 
and  religious  sentiments  so  prevalent  in  some 
portions  of  this  country ; or  will  they  be  gov- 
erned by  false  sentiments  and  improper  influences, 
and  thus  become  a curse  to  all  with  whom  they 
associate,  and  Anally  plunge  into  eternal  ruin? 
How  important  the  inquiry  ! 

It  is  very  natural  for  those  who  feel  concerned 
about  this  matter,  to  inquire,  who  shall  instruct 
and  guide  the  youths  of  this  country?  Who 
shall  point  out  to  them  the  path  of  safety,  and 
guard  them  against  all  the  snares  and  besetments 
to  which  they  are  exposed?  Who,  by  their  ex-  j 
ample  and  influence,  shall  lead  them  in  the  way 
which  will  be  most  conducive  to  their  happiness 
and  usefulness  ? 

It  would  seem  at  flrst  thought,  that  there  could 
be  but  one  correct  answer  to  these  important 
questions ; for  it  will  readily  be  admitted  by  all, 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  parents  and  guardians  to 
instruct  and  train  the  youths  committed  to  their 
care.  But,  if  the  former  fail  to  do  their  duty  in 
this  respect,  shall  the  latter  be  neglected?  Shall 
they  roam  through  the  world  without  some  kind 
hand  to  lead  them,  or  some  friendly  voice  to  conn- 


INTRODUCTIOlSr. 


7 


sel  them  when  danger  is  near?  Or  will  those 
who  feel  interested  in  their  future  welfare,  care- 
fully watch  their  steps,  and  shield  them  from  those 
influences  so  well  calculated  to  give  a wrong  bias 
to  their  minds,  and  lead  them  to  destruction  ? 

At  no  period,  perhaps,  in  the  history  of  this 
country,  have  pai’ents  been  so  perfectly  indifier- 
ent  as  to  the  physical,  moral,  and  intellectual 
training  of  their  children,  as  at  the  present.  As 
a general  thing,  parents,  in  this  respect,  seem  not 
to  realize  their  responsibility.  A few  seem  to  feel 
that  it  is  right  to  “ train  up  their  children  in  the 
way  they  should  go,”  and  are  disposed  to  act  ac- 
cordingly. But  a large  majority  of  them  seem 
to  be  going  upon  the  principle,  that  they  are  in 
no  way  responsible  for  the  future  welfare  of  those 
committed  to  their  charge.  Hence  they  are  living 
in  the  neglect  of  a very  important  duty. 

Hundreds  and  thousands  of  parents  may  be 
found  in  our  midst,  who  seem  to  he  as  indiffer- 
ent about  the  future  destiny  of  their  children,  as 
if  there  was  no  relationship  existing  between 
them  at  all.  A great  many  of  them  manifest  in- 
finitely more  concern  for  their  horses  and  mules, 
and  especially  for  their  servants,  than  they  do  for 
their  children.  This,  we  know,  is  a hard  saying, 
and  it  is  with  shame  that  we  make  such  a de- 
claration; but  it  is  true,  notwithstanding. 

We  have  seen  parents  accompany  their  chil- 
dren to  the  bar  of  civil  justice,  and  look  on  while 
the  just  penalty  of  the  law  was  inflicted  upon 


8 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUJSTG  MEN. 


them,  without  manifesting  the  slightest  emotion. 
And  worse  than  this,  seemed  inclined  to  jnstity 
and  uphold  them  in  the  commission  of  crime, 
when  there  was  positive  evidence  of  their  guilt. 
Now,  when  such  things  are  common  among  pa- 
rents, how,  we  ask,  can  it  he  expected  that  their 
children  wdll  pursue  the  path  of  virtue  and  mo- 
rality ? 

But,  then,  if  parents  knew,  and  were  disposed, 
in  all  respects,  to  do  their  duty  toward  their  off- 
spring, many  of  them  are  called  away  from  the 
shores  of  mortality  long  before  their  children  come 
to  the  years  of  maturity  or  accountability — long 
before  they  are  prepared  to  act  for  themselves  in 
any  capacity  whatever.  The  consequence,  in  many 
instances  is,  that  although  their  physical  wants 
may  he  well  attended  to,  in  a moral  and  intellec- 
tual point  of  view  they  are  almost  entirely  ne- 
glected. As  thousands  of  youths,  then,  are  left 
unprotected  and  uncared  for,  in  a world  where 
there  is  so  much  to  lead  them  astray,  we  ask 
again,  w^ho  shall  influence  them  to  “ be  followers 
of  that  which  is  good  ?”  "Will  not  every  genuine 
patriot,  every  sincere  philanthropist,  in  view  of 
the  welfare  of  his  countiy,  if  from  no  higher  con- 
sideration, lend  a helping  hand? 

The  facilities  for  acquiring  scientiflc  knowledge, 
and  for  gaining  information  in  regard  to  the  va- 
rious business  pursuits,  are  so  numerous  at  the 
present  day,  that  young  men  are  qualified  for  al- 
most any  kind  of  business,  long  before  the  moral 


INTRODUCTION. 


9 


principles,  by  whicli  they  should  be  governed, 
are  well  established  in  their  minds.  The  result  is, 
they  are  sent  out  into  the  world  to  transact  busi- 
ness, when  they  are  wholly  unprepared  to  resist 
those  influences  which  poison  the  minds  of  so 
many  at  an  early  age,  and  bring  upon  them  swift 
desti’uction.  And  among  the  first  things  we  hear 
of  them  afterward  is,  they  have  departed  from  the 
path  of  rectitude,  brought  disgrace  upon  them- 
selves, and  are,  with  rapid  steps,  traveling  in  the 
broad  road  to  ruin. 

And  can  any  thing  be  done  to  change  this  state 
of  things  among  the  young  men  of  this  country? 
We  answer,  that  much  may  be  done  to  better  the 
condition  of  those  youths,  who,  by  adversity  or 
neglect,  have  been  deprived  of  parental  instruc- 
tion, if  the  better  informed  portions  of  each  com- 
munity will  act  well  their  part.  ITo  one,  we  think, 
who  is  animated  by  a pi’oper  spirit,  when  he  looks 
to  the  future  destiny  of  his  country,  and  especially 
to  the  present  and  eternal  welfare  of  the  rising 
generation,  can  be  indifferent  or  inactive  in  regard 
to  a matter  of  so  much  moment. 

Several  volumes  have  been  written  in  the  last 
few  years,  containing  a series  of  lectures  addressed 
to  young  men,  by  writers  who  are  distinguished 
alike  for  their  natural  abilities  and  their  literary 
attainments;  and  they  justly  merit  the  best  wishes 
of  every  good  citizen  for  their  noble  and  patriotic 
efforts  in  behalf  of  the  young.  Their  works  have 
been  circulated  extensively  among  that  class  of 


10 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEY. 


young  men  to  wliom  they  were  addressed,  and 
have  evidently  done  an  immense  amount  of  good. 
They  were  written,  however,  more  especially  for 
the  benefit  of  young  men  engaged  in  studying 
the  learned  professions,  or  who  have  already  dis- 
tinguished themselves  as  men  of  science  and 
learning.  Their  influence,  therefore,  has  been 
confined  to  a very  narrow  channel  notwithstand- 
ing the  correctness  of  the  sentiments  which  they 
contain.  The  language  and  style,  and,  in  many 
instances,  the  illustrations  of  the  authors  just  re- 
ferred to,  are  not  well  adapted  to  the  capacity  of 
a majority  of  the  young  men  of  this  country. 

This  difficulty,  we  think,  has  been  avoided  in 
the  following  work.  We  have,  of  design,  em- 
ployed the  plainest  language,  and  have  set  forth 
our  ideas  in  the  most  simple  and  familiar  style. 
We  have  aimed,  also,  to  embrace,  in  the  course 
of  the  following  lectures,  every  point  to  which 
the  attention  of  the  young  should  be  directed — 
so  far,  at  least,  as  their  physical  comfort  and 
their  moral  and  intellectual  well-being  are  con- 
cerned— and,  at  the  same  time,  have  not  failed 
to  direct  attention  to  those  things  which  hear 
directly  upon  man’s  immortal  interests. 

This  we  have  done,  because  we  thought  it  was 
necessary — ^because  we  are  well  convinced,  after 
close  observation  for  several  years,  that  the  young 
are  shamefully  neglected  in  this  land,  where  civil, 
moral,  and  religious  institutions  are  so  numerous; 
and  because  we  are  well  satisfled,  that  if  measures 


INTEODTJCTIOlsr. 


11 


are  not  adopted,  and  that  very  soon,  for  the 
moral  improvement  of  the  young  in  our  midst, 
some  of  whom  are  to  be  our  lawmakers,  rulers, 
and  guides,  at  least  in  a civil  and  social  point  of 
view,  the  stars  and  stripes  of  our  beloved  country 
will  soon  trail  in  the  dust,  and  no  one  will  be 
left  to  build  up  and  sustain  her  institutions. 
Already  have  things  come  to  such  a pass,  in  our 
legislative  and  senatorial  halls,  that  those  who 
have  been  chosen  by  the  people  to  enact  laws 
and  to  transact  the  business  of  state,  can  not 
meet  and  remain  together  for  any  length  of  time, 
for  this  purpose,  without  getting  into  a quarrel, 
which  commonly  ends  in  a general  melee,  if  not 
in  some  thing  else  more  disgraceful.  And  why, 
we  ask,  is  this  the  state  of  morals  among  those  in 
high  places  as  well  as  among  those  in  the  lower 
walks  of  life?  It  is  from  the  fact  that  they  have 
not  been  properly  instructed  in  the  days  of  their 
youth. 

It  is  generally  the  case,  with  most  authors  at 
least,  in  presenting  their  works  to  the  public,  to 
offer  some  apology  for  so  doing;  and  we  think  it 
proper  that  they  should.  And  if  the  reader  will 
examine  the  last  two  or  three  paragraphs  pre- 
ceding this,  he  will  find  the  substance  of  our 
apology  for  writing  and  presenting  the  follow- 
ing lectures  to  the  public. 

In  writing  the  work  now  before  the  reader,  we 
have  very  often  referred  to  the  writings  of  other 
authors  upon  the  various  topics  discussed,  for  in- 


12 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


struction,  and  acknowledge  ourselves  greatly  in- 
debted to  them  for  the  information  they  have 
given  ns.  It  may  he  seen,  also,  that  their  writings 
have  been  quoted  in  quite  a number  of  instances. 
This  was  often  done  from  memory,  as  their  works 
were  not  before  us ; while,  in  other  instances,  we 
were  more  fortunate.  We  think  the  reader  will 
perceive  the  appropriateness  of  each  quotation, 
and  its  immediate  connection  with  the  subject 
under  consideration. 

Our  object  has  been,  as  before  stated,  to  benefit 
the  young  and  rising  generation.  How  well  we 
may  have  succeeded  in  our  undertaking,  we  must 
leave  the  developments  of  the  future  to  decide. 
If  the  present  work  should  be  instrumental  in 
elevating  the  condition  of  the  young,  morally  and 
intellectually — if  it  should  induce  them  to  forsake 
the  paths  of  vice,  and  walk  in  the  way  of  virtue 
— above  all,  if  it  should  infiuence  them  to  obey 
the  commands  of  their  Creator,  to  seek  his  favor, 
and  to  strive  for  eternal  life,  we  shall  have  accom- 
plished the  great  end  which  we  have  had  in 
view. 

J.  W.  KASEY. 


Big  Spuing,  Aj>ril  Ibth,  1858. 


E S SAT. 


"While  it  may  be  said  that  the  young  men  of 
this  country  deserve  credit  for  their  politeness, 
aifability,  and  general  good  behavior,  it  is  also 
true  that  they  are  sadly  deficient  as  to  general 
information.  "We  have  no  doubt  but  that  they 
are  as  well  informed  in  this  country,  as  a general 
thing,  as  in  any  other  country  in  the  world;  but 
it  is  still  lamentably  true,  that  not  moi’e  than  one 
out  of  every  hundi’ed  has  acquired  that  degree 
of  intellectual  knowledge  that  is  commensurate 
with  his  opportunities.  It  may  be  said  that  they 
are  honest,  that  they  have  acquired  habits  of 
industry,  and  that  they  are  just  in  all  their  deal- 
ings with  others.  It  may  truly  be  said,  that  a 
large  majority  of  them  have  a high  regard  for 
the  rights  of  others,  and  that  they  would  not 
stoop  so  low,  in  trading,  as  to  take  advantage  of 
the  ignorant  in  any  business  transaction  what- 
ever; and  yet  thousands  are  to  be  found  in  our 
midst,  who  are  ignorant  almost  of  the  first  prin- 
ciples of  knowledge. 

To  acquire  knowledge,  investigation,  study, 
and  diligent  research  are  necessary.  And,  with 
most  young  men,  this  is  quite  an  irksome  task. 
And  it  is,  therefore,  a difficult  matter  to  get  them 

^ (13) 


14 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


to  undertake  it  with  that  degree  of  determination 
and  energy  which  are  necessary  to  success.  Hence, 
a very  small  portion  of  their  time  is  spent  in  the 
acquisition  of  knowledge.  The  result  is,  they  are 
ignorant  of  all  the  leading  questions  and  general 
topics  of  the  day.  If  young  men  would  pay  as 
much  attention  to  the  means  of  acquiring  know- 
ledge as  they  should,  they  would  he  as  wise  at 
the  age  of  fifteen,  and  as  well  prepared  for  the 
common  avocations  of  life,  as  they  are,  under 
existing  circumstances,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
But  day  after  day,  and  year  after  year,  is  care- 
lessly thrown  away  by  them,  and  they  grow  up 
to  manhood  wholly  unprepared  for  its  duties  and 
responsibilities. 

It  is  to  he  deeply  regretted  that  hundreds  and 
thousands  of  young  men  in  this  country  are 
growing  up  in  ignorance,  who  evidently  possess 
superior  intellectual  faculties.  Many  of  them 
have  minds  capable  of  grasping  a vast  amount  of 
useful  knowledge,  of  mastering  all  the  leading 
questions  of  the  day.  They  might  stand  high 
among  the  great  men  of  this  nation,  and  influ- 
ence for  weal  the  political  and  moral  destiny  of 
this  country,  and  might  justly  be  classed  with 
the  most  learned  and  scientific  men  of  this  age; 
and  yet,  strange  to  tell,  they  are  spending  their 
time  in  idleness,  and  seem  to  have  no  aspii-atious 
after  true  greatness. 

These  things  are  true,  not  only  of  the  poor, 
who  are  apt  to  excuse  themselves  on  the  score 


ESSAY. 


15 


of  poverty,  but  amoug  young  men  in  independent 
circumstances,  who  have  every  facility  that  heart 
could  wish  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge.  If 
they  had  among  them  but  few  books,  and  but  few 
institutions  of  learning,  and  lived  in  some  dark 
corner  of  the  earth,  but  little  could  be  expected 
of  them.  But  as  it  is,  in  this  country,  knowledge 
is  difiused  in  almost  every  conceivable  way,  and 
it  may  be  accumulated  rapidly  by  all  who  will 
but  use  the  means  to  that  end. 

To  see  clearly  illustrated  the  truth  of  what  we 
have  just  said,  go  to  any  of  the  principal  com- 
mercial houses  of  this  country,  and  you  are  there 
met  by  a polite  young  gentleman,  who  seems  to 
be  free  and  easy  in  his  manners,  and  is  quite 
willing  to  accommodate  you  to  any  reasonable 
extent.  You  will  soon  perceive  that  he  is  well 
posted  in  the  business  in  which  he  is  engaged, 
that  he  can  give  you  the  technical  phrases  per- 
taining to  that  business,  and  that,  so  far  as  that 
particular  branch  of  business  is  concerned,  he  is 
not  at  a loss,  either  for  language  or  ideas,  in 
giving  you  all  the  information  you  may  wish. 
But  now,  business  having  been  attended  to,  sit 
down  for  a few  moments’  conversation  on  natural 
or  revealed  religion ; or  on  intellectual,  moral,  or 
physical  science;  or  upon  any  other  subject  that 
does  not  necessarily  bear  upon  his  line  of  busi- 
ness; and  nine  times  out  of  ten  you  will  find 
that  he  has  paid  but  little  attention  to  these 
things,  if  he  is  not  altogether  ignorant  of  them. 


16 


LECTURES  TO  YOUJTG  MEX. 


The  same  is  true  when  applied  to  those  en- 
gaged in  mechanical,  agricultural,  and  profes- 
sional pursuits.  That  young  mechanic  understands 
his  trade ; and  to  examine  his  works  you  will 
soon  discover  marks  of  genius,  and  evidences  of 
mechanical  skill;  but  now  introduce,  as  a topic 
for  conversation,  some  literary  or  scientific  ques- 
tion, and  you  wiU  soon  find  that  he  is  perfectly 
ignorant  in  regard  to  it.  And  so  it  is  with  young 
men  generally,  be  their  trade  or  profession  what 
it  may. 

And  why,  we  ask,  is  this  the  case?  It  does 
not  originate  in  a want  of  capacity,  of  educational 
facilities,  or  opportunities  for  acquiring  informa- 
tion. What  then?  It  is  the  result  of  neglecting 
the  means  of  acquiring  knowledge,  with  which 
every  young  man  in  this  country  is  so  abundantly 
furnished.  They  will  examine  every  principle  and 
rule  connected  with  their  trade  or  profession,  and 
make  themselves  familiar  with  every  point  that 
hears,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  upon  their 
regular  business,  hut,  beyond  this,  they  seem  to 
have  no  curiosity.  Having  mastered  their  trade, 
they  are  satisfied,  so  far  as  intellectual  attainments 
are  concerned;  and,  instead  of  studying  history 
and  natural  science,  instead  of  having  the  mind 
well  stored  with  intellectual  and  nseful  knowledge, 
they  have  no  taste  for  the  one,  no  desire  for  the 
other,  and  are  not  qualified  for  society  or  for  any 
rational  enjoyment. 

How  we  are  aware  of  the  fact,  that  a majority 


ESSAY. 


17 


of  the  young  men  among  us  have  to  spend  most 
of  their  time  in  attending  to  their  regular  busi- 
ness, and  that  its  peculiar  claims  should  be  pro- 
perly attended  to  ; hut,  at  the  same  time,  we  are 
satisfied  that,  if  they  would  spend  their  hours  of 
relaxation  from  business  in  studying  some  branch 
of  natui’al  science,  or  in  pursuit  of  intellectual 
knowledge,  they  would  soon  acquire  a vast 
amount  of  useful  information,  and  be  qualified 
to  fill  the  most  responsible  stations  among  men. 

Old  men  are  now  to  be  found  in  this  country, 
who  have  lived  all  their  lives  in  obscurity  and 
ignorance,  from  the  fact  that  they  paid  no  atten- 
tion to  the  means  of  acquiring  knowledge  in  their 
younger  days,  who  might  now,  if  they  had  pur- 
sued a different  course,  be  standing  side  by  side 
with  the  greatest  orators,  statesmen,  and  philoso- 
phers of  the  present  age.  jAnd,  what  is  still 
worse,  there  are  youths  in  this  country,  in  whose 
behalf  nature  has  been  lavish  of  her  gifts — whose 
minds  are  capable  of  very  great  expansion  and 
improvement — who  are  surrounded  with  the  most 
favorable  circumstances  for  the  acquisition  of 
general  information,  and  who  might,  in  a short 
time,  distinguish  themselves  as  men  of  the  high- 
est order  of  talents,  but  who,  for  want  of  energy 
and  industry  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  ai’e 
destined  to  walk  in  the  humbler  paths  of  life, 
unknown  to  those  by  whom  they  might  have 
been  honored. 

This  last  reflection  is  enough  to  sadden  the 
2 


18 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


heart  of  every  genuine  patriot.  In  fact,  no 
individual  who  is  prepared  to  appreciate  the  value 
of  knowledge,  can  look  at  this  subject  in  its  true 
light,  and  not  feel  a deep  interest  in  the  mental 
as  well  as  moral  improvement  of  the  young  men 
of  this  country.  That  man  who  has  no  desire 
for  the  dilFusiou  of  knowledge  among  the  young 
of  all  classes  of  society,  has  but  little  regard  for 
the  welfare  of  his  country,  and  would  not  do  to 
risk  if  her  interests  were  in  danger. 

To  the  young  reader,  then,  we  will  say,  in  the 
language  of  the  wise  man,  “get  wisdom,  and  with 
all  thy  getting,  get  understanding.”  Be  not 
among  the  ignorant,  who  seem  never  to  look  be- 
yond their  physical  wants  and  necessities,  but 
seek  earnestly  for  a liberal  share  of  general  infor- 
mation, and  rest  not  satisfied  until  you  have  ob- 
tained it.  Eesolve  to  write  your  name  high  up 
in  the  temple  of  knowledge;  and,  if  you  do  not 
excell  all  others,  you  will  at  least  obtain  for  your- 
self an  honorable  position  among  the  wise  and 
the  learned,  and  open  to  your  mind  a wide  field 
for  contemplation  and  enjoyment. 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


LECTURE  1. 

THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 

In  all  ages  of  the  world  much  has  heen 
thought,  said,  and  written  about  knowledge.  It 
was  the  theme  of  inspired  prophets  and  apostles, 
has  been  earnestly  sought  for  by  all  who  were 
capable  of  appreciating  its  value,  and  has,  in 
lovely  and  sublime  strains,  been  presented  to  our 
minds  as  a means  of  present  and  eternal  happi- 
ness, not  only  by  moralists  and  philanthropists, 
but  by  the  wisest  and  best  men  of  all  nations. 

Knowledge  has  been  the  means  of  averting  im- 
pending danger  to  communities  and  nations,  has 
shielded  them  from  the  attacks  of  their  enemies, 
placed  their  laws  and  institutions  upon  a firm 
and  solid  basis,  opened  channels  of  communica- 
tion from  one  nation  to  another,  and,  in  a civil 
point  of  view,  has,  in  many  instances,  elevated 
them  to  the  highest  point  of  improvement  and 
greatness.  It  enlarges  the  views,  and  controls,  to 
a proper  extent,  the  feelings  of  those  by  whom 
laws  are  enacted;  nerves  the  arm  of  those  whose 

(19) 


20 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


duty  it  is  to  execute  them,  and  thus  secures  the 
largest  amount  of  prosperity  and  happiness  to 
those  who  are  governed  by  them.  It  expands 
the  intellectual  powers  of  the  man,  gives  proper 
tone  and  direction  to  his  mind,  enlarges  his 
sphere  of  usefulness,  quickens  all  his  energies, 
and  qualifies  him  to  contend  successfully  against 
the  greatest  difficulties^ 

Hot  so,  however,  of  ignorance.  "Wliere  it  pre- 
vails, the  worst  state  of  society  is  to  he  looked 
for.  Where  it  controls  the  mind,  there  is  anarchy 
and  confusion,  disloyalty  and  miserjq  and  almost 
every  evil  that  we  can  possibly  imagine.  “Judg- 
ment is  perverted  by  prejudices,  and  reason  sub- 
jected to  vicious  afiections.  The  conduct,  which 
ought  to  have  been  the  result  of  judgment  and 
prudence,  is  impelled  by  sense  and  appetite ; and 
he  whose  powers,  had  they  been  rightly  im- 
proved, would  have  allied  him  to  angels,  and 
stamped  upon  his  nature  the  image  of  God,  is 
reduced  to  a situation  little  superior  to  the  irra- 
tional part  of  the  creation;  the  subject  of  instinct, 
and  the  slave  of  passion.” 

Viewed  in  this  light,  it  will  he  seen  that  igno- 
rance is  the  greatest  evil  with  which  mankind 
can  he  afflicted.  This  fact  has  long  been  evident 
to  the  minds  of  all  serious  ohservei-s.  But  how- 
ever true  this  may  be,  many  persons  are  to  he 
found,  who  are  ever  ready  to  stand  forth  as  the 
advocates  of  ignorance;  and  are  willing,  when- 
ever the  opportunity  oflers,  to  assist  in  extending 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  21 


“tlie  empire  of  darkness.”  As  to  tlie  object  that 
such  men  have  in  view,  we  are  not  prepared  to 
determine.  It  would  seem,  however,  that  their 
object  is  to  increase  their  importance  on  the  one 
hand  or  on  the  other,  to  keep  the  multitude  in 
darkness,  that  they  may  the  more  easily  accom- 
plish their  evil  designs  among  them.  Be  this  as 
it  may,  all  such  men  should  be  looked  upon  as 
determined  enemies  to  their  fellow-beings.  For- 
tunately for  the  young  men  of  this  country,  but 
few  of  this  class  of  men  have  the  nerve  to  express 
their  sentiments  upon  this  subject,  or  to  advocate 
the  cause  of  ignorance  in  any  way  before  the 
public. 

Young  persons,  however,  should  be  on  their 
guard,  for  this  class  of  men  are  trying  in  a secret 
way  to  envelope  the  - minds  of  the  people  in  dark- 
ness, and  their  movements  can  not  be  too  closely 
observed. 

We  adopt  the  noble  sentiments  contained  in 
the  following  language : “ One  thing,  however,  is 
evident,  humanity,  reason,  and  religion,  all  join  in 
condemning  the  attempt,  and  all  conspire  to  pre- 
vent its  success.  Thank  Grod,  it  can  not  be  suc- 
cessful. The  sun  of  knowledge  is  risen,  and 
darts  toward  the  meridian ; and  though  those 
who  “love  darkness  rather  than  light,”  may  look 
out  from  their  murky  dens,  and  hoot  at  the  dif- 
fusive radiance,  its  orb  stands  too  high  for  them 
to  reach,  and  its  beams  spread  too  wide  for  them 
to  contract.” 


22 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


In  this  country,  as  well  as  in  various  other 
nations  of  the  earth,  thousands  and  millions  are 
busily  engaged  in  the  diffusion  of  knowledge 
among  the  people.  They  feel  satisfied  that  it  is 
the  great  lever  by  which  mankind  is  to  be  ele- 
vated from  the  thralldom  of  ignorance,  supersti- 
tion, and  vice,  to  a position  where  they  may  bask 
in  the  sunshine  of  science,  and  breathe  the  pure 
air  of  civilization  and  refinement;  and  where 
they  will  be  prepared  to  enjoy  the  blessings  which 
our  benevolent  Creator  has  offered  to  those  who 
wfill  obey  his  laws,  and  be  governed  by  the  dic- 
tates of  reason  and  common  sense.  Taking  this 
view  of  the  subject,  no  one  will  be  surprised  at 
the  efforts  that  are  being  made  for  the  general 
diffusion  of  knowledge.  i 

But  we  notice,  more  especially,  the  necessity,  or 
the  importance  of  knowledge. 

First,  it  is  the  source  of  unbounded  pleasure. 
He,  whose  mind  is  well  stored  with  information, 
has  constant  access  to  fountains  of  pleasure  to 
which  the  ignorant  are  entire  strangers.  ; His 
capacious  mind  and  vivid  imagination  are  in- 
cessantly feasting  upon  the  monuments,  of  art, 
the  beauties  of  nature,  and  the  developments  of 
science.  Wealth,  honor,  and  fame  do  not  afford 
him  half  the  amount  of  pleasure  that  he  enjoys, 
while  he  beholds  the  harmonious  movements  of 
the  heavenly  bodies,  the  regular  operations  of  the 
machinery  of  nature,  the  splendor  of  the  universe, 
and  the  wonderful  adaptation  of  all,  with  infinite 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  23 


skill,  to  the  condition  and  wants  of  the  human 
family.  When  he  is  not  employed  in  the  com- 
mon avocations  of  life,  these  things  atibrd  con- 
stant exercise  to  the  powers  of  his  mind,  and 
produce  pleasure  of  a kind  more  pure  and  ele- 
vated than  can  possibly  he  found  in  any  of  the 
gratifications  of  sense. 

He  acquired  a thirst  for  knowledge  in  the  days 
of  his  youth.  He  sought  for  it  earnestly  upon 
the  right,  and  upon  the  left,  with  a zeal  and  de- 
termination which  are  always  rewarded  with  suc- 
cess. He  had,  it  may  be,  to  contend  with  diffi- 
culties that  were  almost  insurmountable,  to  submit 
to  a great  deal  of  hardship,  and  many  privations ; 
but  now  he  stands  upon  a lofty  eminence,  with 
nothing  to  obstruct  his  view,  and  the  face  of  na- 
ture in  beautiful  array,  is  spread  out  before  his 
anxious  gaze ; and  with  peculiar  delight  he  sur- 
veys the  sublime  scenes  around  him. 

He  may  perceive  that  some  parts  of  the  machin- 
ery are  complicated,  and  wonderfully  mysterious 
in  their  movements,  some  things  beyond  the 
powers  of  his  mind  to  comprehend,  but  these 
things  seem  only  to  quicken  his  energies,  while 
he  makes  one  new  discovery  after  another.  And 
while  he  beholds  the  earth  clothed  in  beauty  at 
his  feet,  the  firmament  decked  with  beauty  above 
his  head,  the  sun  going  forth  “ as  a strong  man 
to  run  a race,”  and  the  stars,  which,  to  his  mind, 
are  so  many  habitable  worlds,  floating  through 
immensity,  pleasurable  sensations  are  produced 


24 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


upon  the  mind,  which  cause  those  delightful  emo- 
tions that  mortal  tongue  can  not  descrihe. 

But  how  different  from  this,  is  the  case  of  that 
man  who  is  destitute  of  knowledge!  He  sees  no 
heauty  in  nature,  nor  does  he  entertain  any  of 
those  lofty  views  of  her  sublimity  and  grandeur. 
The  stars,  to  him,  are  so  many  spots  of  light  in 
the  distant  sky.  The  clear  evidences  of  Divine 
power  and  infinite  skill,  as  manifested  in  every 
valley  and  upon  every  hilltop,  in  every  plant  and 
fiower,  as  well  as  in  the  soft  and  pleasant  breeze 
that  fans  his  brow,  are  all  unobserved  by  him,  and 
exert  no  special  infiuence  upon  his  mind.  Amid 
all,  he  stands  unmoved,  thinking  only  of  the  pre- 
sent, and  of  surrounding  circumstances,  as  they 
bear  immediately  upon  his  worldly  interests. 
'^His  views  of  things  are  so  contracted  and  narrow, 
that  he  is  wholly  unprepared  to  appreciate  any  of 
the  blessings  of  life.  He  is  so  self-important,  so 
wise  in  his  own  conceit,  that  he  will  not  listen  to 
the  voice  of  instruction ; for,  already,  in  his  own 
estimation,  “ he  is  wiser  than  seven  men  that  can 
render  a reason.”  The  result  is  just  what  might 
he  expected  by  all  sensible  men.  He  is  wrong  in 
theory,  worse  in  practice;  the  dupe  of  every  new- 
fangled notion,  prone  to  fanaticism  and  supersti- 
tion, and  is  a monster  to  he  dreaded  in  civilized 
society.  By  his  influence,  he  leads  others  into  the 
paths  of  vice,  misery,  and  destruction,  and  thus 
counteracts  the  efforts  of  the  wise  and  good  in  all 
their  attempts  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  man7 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  25 


and  raise  him  higher  in  the  scale  of  intelligence 
and  happiness. 

But  knowledge  is  a source  of  pleasure,  from 
the  fact,  that  it  gives  man  proper  control  of  him- 
self. “ Ignorance  is  the  parent  of  vice,”  and 
wherever  it  prevails,  it  debases  man,  and  makes 
of  him  an  abject  slave — a slave  to  his  natural  pro- 
pensities. The  faculties  of  the  mind  and  the  func- 
tions of  the  body,  are  enchained  by  the  appetites 
and  passions  which  always  prove  to  he  the  worst 
tyrants  in  the  world.  He  may,  at  times,  in  view 
of  his  associations  in  life,  get  a glimpse  of  better 
things,  and  have  some  faint  desires  for  freedom 
from  the  thralldom  of  ignorance  and  the  reign  of 
darkness,  but  he  has  not  the  moral  courage  to 
throw  off  the  restraints  of  passion,  and  enjoy  the 
liberty  that  is  realized  by  the  “ wise  and  prudent.” 

His  intellectual  vision  is  so  completely  obscured 
by  ignorance,  that  he  can  not  see  with  sufficient 
distinctness,  a higher  state  of  joy  and  pleasure  to 
arouse  him  to  action,  and  prompt  him  to  those 
efforts  by  which  he  might  be  made  free.  “ A 
slave  to  his  appetites  and  propensities,  he  debases 
the  man  into  the  brute,  blunts  the  edge  of  every 
tender  feeling,  and  hardens  himself  against  every 
generous  emotion.  Conscience,  so  repeatedly  in- 
sulted, ceases  to  warn  him  of  danger;  and  his 
passions,  rendered  licentious  by  indulgence,  carry 
him  beyond  the  power  of  resistance,  to  every  ob- 
ject they  propose,  however  unlawful,  and  how- 
ever injurious.  The  frequency  of  practice  con- 
3 


26 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


firms  liis  habits,  till  they  become  too  imperious  to 
admit  of  the  smallest  hope  of  reformation,  and 
leave  us  no  other  prospect  than  that  of  a rational 
and  immortal  creature,  formed  for  communion 
with  his  God  in  the  world,  and  intended  to  par- 
ticipate his  glory  in  the  world  to  come,  filling  up 
the  measure  of  his  iniquities,  and  ripening  for 
destruction.”  * * « This  is,  perhaps,  the 

reason  why  such  characters,  in  the  intervals  of 
labor,  fly  from  themselves,  and  fill  up  their  leisure 
hours  with  the  grossest  indulgence  of  intemper- 
ance. Intellectual  vigor  they  do  not  possess;  and 
the  ambition  of  improvement  they  do  not  feel; 
they  shun  the  company  of  the  wise  and  sober, 
where  they  sink  by  comparison ; and,  mingling 
with  the  dregs  of  society,  they  corrupt  by  their 
practice,  and  destroy  by  their  example.” 

While,  on  the  other  hand,  knowledge  hursts 
asunder  the  involving  clouds  of  darkness  that 
shroud  the  mind  of  men  in  ignorance,  and  en- 
ables him  to  view  himself  in  the  proper  light; 
to  view  himself  as  a being  possessing  reason  and 
judgment,  which  distinguish  him  from  the  beasts 
that  perish,  and  constitute  the  true  dignity  of  his 
nature.  It  breaks  oft'  the  shackles  of  ignorance, 
by  which  he  has  been  bound,  lifts  him  above  that 
which  is  low  and  sensual,  liberates  him  from  the 
sway  of  his  passions,  and  enables  him  to  appre- 
ciate and  to  enjoy  the  rich  provisions  of  a benefi- 
cent Creator.  Let  all  young  persons,  then,  re- 
member, that  in  order  to  enjoy  substantial  and 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  27 


elevated  pleasure,  the  miud  must  he  enlightened, 
and  natural  propensities  must  be  controlled  by  the 
powers  of  reason. 

In  the  next  place,  knowledge  is  necessary,  from 
the  fact,  that  it  is  the  foundation  of  correct  moral 
sentiments,  and  a consistent  course  of  conduct. 

Where  knowledge  is  generally  diffused  among 
a people,  they  are  capable  of  enacting  just  and 
wholesome  laws,  and  such  as  will  secure  their 
interests  and  promote  their  happiness.  But  if 
knowledge,  in  any  way  is  prevented  from  spread- 
ing itself  through  all  the  inferior  ranks  of  society, 
“ disorganization,  savage  independence,  and  bar- 
barian stupidity  must  be  the  unavoidable  conse- 
quences.” It  was  said  by  the  wise  man,  “ Know- 
ledge is  power,  and  wisdom  is  better  than  strength.” 
It  is  knowledge  that  constitutes  the  great  differ- 
ence that  may  he  perceived  between  savage  and 
civilized  society.  For  if  you  will  examine  the 
history  of  all  civilized  nations,  you  can  hut  observe 
that  they  have  owed  the  improvement  of  their 
condition,  to  the  improvement  of  the  mind.  “ The 
comforts  and  conveniences  of  life,  useful  arts,  salu- 
tary laws,  and  good  governments,  are  all  the  pro- 
ductions of  knowledge.” 

To  see  more  clearly  the  truth  of  this  proposi- 
tion, let  your  mind  dwell  upon  the  condition  of 
those  nations  where  ignorance  prevails ; where 
the  seeds  of  knowledge  have  not  been  scat- 
tered, and  where  the  minds  of  the  people  are 
uncultivated,  and  in  a state  of  darkness,  and  you 


28 


LECTUKES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


will  soon  discover  that  selfishness  is  the  predomi- 
nant principle.  They  seen  to  have  no  idea  of  the 
great  principles  of  justice  hy  which  men  must  be 
governed,  if  they  would  mutually  promote  each 
other’s  interest  and  happiness.  Benevolence,  that 
noble  principle,  which  gives  to  the  wise  and  good 
those  expansive  views  and  feelings,  while  they 
look  at  the  misfortunes  and  miseries  of  their  fel- 
low-beings, and  prompts  them  to  a course  of 
action  that  is  so  beneficial  in  its  tendency,  is 
scarcely  ever  heard  of  among  them.  Being 
governed  by  false  maxims,  they  are  dissolute  in 
their  manners,  and  give  a loose  rein  to  their  un- 
bridled passions.  Having  no  correct  ide^  of  jus- 
tice, they  will  cheat  and  defraud  each  other  with- 
out remorse  of  conscience ; and  seem  to  feel,  at 
the  same  time,  that  they  are  violating  no  principle 
of  justice  or  honor.  "Wlierever  you  go,  among 
such  a people,  you  will  see  the  sad  evidences  of 
the  reign  of  ignorance. 

And  now  you  may  propose  to  enlighten  their 
minds  by  the  dissemination  of  knowledge,  and  to 
furnish  them  with  a set  of  laws  that  will  produce 
a better  state  of  things  in  an  intellectual,  civil, 
and  moral  point  of  ^fiew,  and  you  will  be  looked 
upon  as  though  you  were  infringing  upon  their 
rights,  and  they  will  oppose  all  your  efforts,  how- 
ever honest  you  may  he  in  your  intentions. 

“ How  often  have  the  salutary  measm-es  of  the 
patriotic  statesman,  the  discoveries  of  the  saga- 
cious philosopher,  the  improvements  of  the  in- 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  29 


genious  artist,  and  the  benevolent  institutions  of 
the  disinterested  philanthropist  been  rendered 
abortive  and  useless  by  popular  ignorance  and 
popular  prejudice.  The  despotism  of  ignorance 
is  of  the  most  imperious  nature.  Its  possession 
of  the  human  mind,  at  the  age  of  maturity,  is 
firm  and  resisting;  and  it  is  only  by  a kind  of 
force  that  knowledge  gains  admission.” 

But  how  ditferent  is  the  condition  of  those  whose 
faculties  and  powers  have  been  brought  into  pro- 
per exercise,  and  directed  to  their  proper  objects  ! 
"What  an  elevated  position  do  they  occupy,  when 
compared  with  those  who  dwell  in  the  regions  of 
darkness!  The  faculties  of  their  minds  are  in  a 
high  state  of  cultivation,  and  they  are  prepared 
to  appreciate  the  advantages  of  general  informa- 
tion. Here  the  “ patriotic  statesman,”  the  “ dis- 
interested philanthropist,”  and  the  “ ingenious 
artist”  are  respected  and  honored;  and  the  in- 
stitutions of  benevolence  among  them,  indicate 
that  they  can  feel  for  the  poor  and  the  distressed, 
and  that  they  are  willing  to  supply  their  wants. 

Here  they  are  governed  by  the  principles  of 
justice,  which  prompt  them  to  regard,  strictly, 
each  others  rights  and  interests.  They  are  digni- 
fied in  their  associations,  refined  in  their  manners, 
and  patriotic  and  hospitable  in  their  feelings. 
And  as  you  move  among  them  from  time  to  time, 
you  will  see  evidences,  not  only  of  wealth  and 
prosperity,  but  of  greatness  and  strength,  and 
will  be  ready  to  exclaim — “ How  lovely  are  thy 


30 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


dwelling  places.”  These  are  facts,  in  regard  to 
the  influence  of  knowledge  upon  the  minds  and 
conduct  of  men,  with  which  every  young  man 
should  make  himself  familiar. 

Again,  knowledge  is  indispensably  necessary, 
from  the  fact  that  it  alone  can  qualify  us  for  use- 
fulness and  true  greatness. 

To  be  useful,  is  a duty  enjoined  upon  us  by 
oiir  Creator,  and  is  enforced  upon  our  minds 
by  our  associations  in  life,  and  the  necessities 
of  our  fellow-beings  around  us.  To  be  great, 
in  the  true  sense  of  that  term,  is  not  only  desir- 
able, but  praiseworthy;  and  to  seek  after  it,  in 
moderation,  and  in  the  use  of  the  proper  means, 
will  be  looked  upon  as  being  right  aceording  to  the 
strictest  rules  of  moral  philosophy.  In  fact,  the 
inspired  wwiters  encourage  us  to  imitate  the  ex- 
ample of  those  who  have  become  truly  great,  by 
their  deeds  of  charity,  and  their  noble  efforts  in 
the  cause  of  humanity. 

Ignorance  destroys  the  usefulness  of  men.  It 
is  almost  impossible  to  induce  an  ignorant  man 
to  do  any  thing  by  which  others  may  be  benefited. 
Of  what  service  can  he  he  to  the  commnnity  or 
nation  in  which  he  lives?  The  causes  of  virtue, 
benevolence,  morality  and  rehgion,  prosper  as 
well,  if  not  better,  without  him  than  with  him ; 
for  his  mind  is  so  completely  darkened  by  igno- 
rance, that  he  is  wholly  unprepared  to  appreciate 
the  advantages  of  either.  He  has  never  traveled 
beyond  the  precincts  of  his  own  immediate  neigh- 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  31 


borhood,  and  knows  but  little  of  tbe  world,  and 
still  less  of  the  real  wants  of  tbe  human  family. 
Instead  of  assisting  those  whose  object  is  to  bless 
mankind,  he  stands  directly  in  their  way,  and 
opposes  all  their  measures. 

Law,  in  the  estimation  of  such  a man,  is  a sel- 
fish and  unfeeling  tyrant ; and  he  obeys  its  man- 
dates, not  as  a matter  of  principle,  but  from 
constraint.  The  executioners  of  the  law  are 
looked  upon,  by  him,  as  being  so  many  agents, 
employed  by  this  tyrant,  to  oppress  and  grind 
the  poor  into  the  dust,  and  to  lord  it  over  their 
fair  heritage.  Education,  as  viewed  by  him,  is  a 
useless  ornament  to  the  mind,  and  ministers  only 
to  pride  and  ambition.  Religion,  accoi’ding  to 
his  theory,  is  a well-arranged  system,  the  object 
of  which  is  to  accomplish  the  evil  designs  of 
those  who  are  seeking  for  power  and  earthly 
glory,  and  to  secure  their  worldly  interests.  He 
has  no  use  for  the  Bible,  for  he  is  satisfied  that 
he  is  a good  theologian  without  it.  He  pi’ofesses 
to  be  guided  by  the  voice  of  nature,  and  the  dic- 
tates of  reason,  while  it  is  evident,  to  those  who 
are  better  informed,  that  he  is  governed  by  his 
natural  inclinations. 

How,  can  such  a man  be  useful?  Will  be  ever 
gladden  the  hearts  of  the  poor  and  needy,  by 
supplying  their  wants  ? Will  he  ever  lead  in 
those  wise  and  patriotic  measures,  which,  upon  a 
large  scale,  are  calculated  to  promote  the  welfare 
of  his  fellow-beings  ? Ho.  He  is  too  selfish  and 


32 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


too  unfeeling.  He  is  deaf  to  the  cry  of  distress, 
and  blind  to  his  own  best  interests,  and  the  in- 
terests of  his  country. 

He  does  not  care  even  for  the  welfare  of  his 
own  family.  “ His  house  was  never  sanctified  to 
Grod  by  prayer  and  thanksgiving;  it  is  the  abode 
of  licentiousness  and  discord.  His  children  are 
uninstructed ; they  grow  up  in  perverseness ; they 
mature  in  iniquity.  He  is  a father  without  autho- 
rity, and  without  honor.  He  entails  upon  his  oflfi 
spring  the  curse  of  his  example,  and  they,  in 
return,  curse  his  memory.” 

On  the  other  hand,  when  a man  is  well-in- 
formed and  governed  by  the  dictates  of  wisdom, 
he  is  prepared  to  take  a more  comprehensive 
view  of  things.  He  realizes  that  there  are  others 
in  the  world  beside  himself,  that  while  he  has  a 
right  to  claim  the  attention  and  assistance  of 
others,  they  have  a right  to  claim  the  same  at  his 
hands.  He  is  not  unmindful  of  the  fact,  that  all 
men  have  “ certain  inalienable  rights”  guaranteed 
to  them  by  their  God,  and  by  their  countiy, 
and  upon  these  rights  he  has  no  disposition  to 
trample. 

And  more  than  this,  he  sees  that  while  some 
are  rich  and  powerful,  others  are  poor  and  feeble. 
That  while  some  are  the  observed  of  all  ohservei’s, 
others  are  entirely  overlooked  and  left  to  pine 
away  in  wretchedness  and  misery.  And  while 
scenes  of  this  kind,  one  after  another,  are  pre- 
sented to  his  view,  his  heart  begins  to  swell  with 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  33 


benevolent  emotions;  and  soon  he  may  be  seen, 
like  the  true  patriot,  actively  engaged  in  supply- 
ing the  wants  of  the  distressed.  He  at  once, 
though  young  in  years,  becomes  a guardian  of  the 
law,  a firm  and  active  supporter  of  all  civil  and 
religious  institutions,  a lover  of  good  order  and 
harmony  in  society,  an  advocate  of  the  right  of 
private  judgment,  is  among  the  foremost  in  all 
benevolent  enterprises,  feels  a deep  interest  in  the 
prosperity  of  his  country,  and  is  always  delighted 
when  he  sees  her  institutions  in  a fiourishing 
condition. 

This  man  is  truly  great,  because  he  is  eminently 
useful ; because  he  is  untiring  in  his  efibrts  to 
better  the  condition  of  all  classes  of  society. 
Cicero,  Hannibal,  Alexander  and  Hapoleon  were 
all  great  men  in  the  common  acceptation  of  the 
term,  but  if  you  will  examine  their  history,  you 
will  find  that  their  footsteps  were  mai’ked  with 
hlood,  and  their  career  with  destruction  to  the 
best  interests  of  men.  They  were  great  to  butcher 
their  fellow-beings,  to  trample  upon  their  rights, 
and  destroy  their  property. 

Let  the  young  reader  remember  then,  that  if  he 
would  be  truly  great,  he  must  be  wise,  patriotic, 
and  benevolent.  He  must  be  willing,  not  only  to 
fill  high  and  honorable  ofiices  in  society,  but  to 
visit  the  abodes  of  poverty  and  ignorance.  He 
must  be  ready  to  assist  the  needy,  and  to  give  in- 
struction to  those  who  are  in  the  regions  of  dark- 
ness. 


34 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


But,  finally,  knowledge  enables  us  to  make 
every  thing  subservient  to  our  purposes,  and  con- 
ducive to  our  happiness. 

It  points  out,  with  certainty,  the  path  that  leads 
to  prosperity  and  ultimate  success  in  life,  and  with 
equal  certainty  to  those  things  which  minister  to 
our  wants,  and  increase  our  comforts  and  joys. 

Examine,  if  you  please,  the  pages  of  history, 
and  see  the  physical  condition  of  those  who  live 
where  ignorance  prevails ; where  there  are  no  ; 
institutions  for  the  diffusion  of  knowledge,  and  i, 
where  the  light  of  science  has  never  been  per- 
mitted to  shine ; where  the  means  of  civilization 
and  general  information  have  been  steadily  with- 
held from  the  people,  that  their  minds  might  be 
kept  in  their  “ native  state  of  imbecility.”  And 
you  will  not  have  proceeded  very  far  in  this  ex- 
amination, before  you  will  be  fully  prepared  to 
admit  the  truth  of  the  proposition  now  under 
consideration. 

Why  is  it,  that  among  such  people,  there  is  so 
much  poverty  and  misery?  Why  are  they  desti- 
tute of  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life? 
Why  is  there  such  a wide  difference  between 
their  condition  and  the  condition  of  those  who 
live  in  this  country,  and  enjoy  the  blessings  of 
civilization  ? Their  sun  shines  as  brightly  as 
ours ; they  have  as  many  gentle  showers  of  rain 
and  refreshing  breezes  as  we ; their  lands  are  pro- 
ductive, their  local  advantages  are  numerous,  and 
yet,  their  condition  is  but  a step  above  that  of  the 


THE  NECESSITY  OF  KNOWLEDGE.  35 

“beasts  that  perish,”  Hence  we  ask,  why  does 
the  traveler  among  them  almost  invariably  find 
them  in  a state  of  nudity  and  starvation  ? 

This  question  is  easily  answered.  They  are 
living  in  ignorance,  and  have  never  studied  the 
natural  advantages  of  their  country.  "While  all 
nature  stands  in  readiness  to  minister  to  their 
wants,  and  offers  them  her  services,  their  eyes  are 
closed  to  the  fact,  and  they  live  and  die  in 
wretchedness. 

Contemplate  for  a moment  the  condition  of 
those  who  live  under  the  boughs  of  the  tree  of 
knowledge  — who  enjoy  the  light  of  civilization 
and  the  benefits  of  scientific  investigation.  How 
rich  is  their  portion,  and  how  elevated  their  con- 
dition ! Their  physical  wants  and  real  necessities 
have  been  taken  into  consideration.  They  have 
studied  successfully  the  resources  of  nature,  and 
now,  like  a skillful  physician,  having  discovered 
the  nature  of  the  disease,  they  find  but  little  diffi- 
culty in  applying  the  remedy. 

Assisted  by  the  light  of  science,  they  have 
found  the  key  of  knowledge,  and  with  it  they 
have  unlocked  the  great  storehouse  of  nature ; 
they  have  penetrated  her  secret  recesses,  and 
found  something,  in  every  department,  that  is 
more  or  less  useful.  And  while  investigating  the 
rich  provisions  of  nature  for  the  supply  of  man’s 
wants,  the  faculties  of  the  mind  were  called  into 
proper  exercise,  and  directed  to  new  and  more 
important  and  desirable  objects. 


36 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


They  have  discovered  the  great  secrets  of  na- 
ture, and  her  laws  have  been  laid  hold  upon ; and 
now  the  earth,  the  air,  the  waters  seem  to  have 
been  converted  into  one  vast  machine  to  minister  to 
man’s  necessities,  and  to  ameliorate  his  condition. 

Diseases,  in  many  instances,  are  arrested  in 
their  incipiency.  The  lurking-places  of  miasma 
have  been  discovered  and  destroyed.  The  electric 
flash  has  been  turned  aside  from  our  dwellings, 
and  has  been  converted  into  a messenger  of  intel- 
ligence, and  daily  and  hourly  is  sent  from  one  end 
of  our  nation  to  the  other.  And  to  some  extent, 
the  monster  death  himself  seems  to  be  stayed  in 
his  career  of  destruction.  And  now,  in  ever}’  val- 
ley and  upon  every  hilltop  the  people  are  pros- 
perous and  happy,  and  cheerfulness  and  content- 
ment sit  undisturbed  upon  every  brow. 

A word  to  you,  young  reader,  and  we  will  close 
this  lectm’e.  If  you  would  be  happy,  if  you  would 
be  able  to  control  yom'  passions  and  tempers,  if 
you  would  be  useful  to  others,  and  enjoy  the  com- 
forts and  conveniences  of  life,  seek  for  the 
path  that  leads  to  the  crystal  fountain  of  know- 
ledge. Go  to  that  fountain  and  drink,  until  the 
faculties  and  powers  of  your  mind,  under  its  ex- 
pansive influence,  shall  fully  develop  themselves. 
And  then  you  wiU  be  prepared  to  breast  the  storms 
of  life,  and  live  to  some  purpose  in  the  world. 
For  the  old  adage  is  still  true,  “ A little  learning 
is  dangerous ; diink  deep  of  the  fountain,  or  taste 
not  at  aU.” 


LECTURE  II. 


THE  KIND  OP  KNOWLEDGE  TO  BE  OBTAINED. 

"We  spent,  not  long  since,  some  twelve  months 

in  the  town  (now  the  city,)  of  H , on  the 

Ohio  river.  During  most  of  that  time,  several 
gentlemen  in  the  place  kept  up  a regular  debat- 
ing society.  We  had  been  there  but  a short  time, 
before  we  were  invited  to  attend  this  society  and 
listen  to  the  speeches  that  were  to  he  made  by 
these  gentlemen,  upon  the  various  topics  that  were 
to  he  discussed  by  them  from  time  to  time.  We 
did  so  whenever  we  had  the  opportunity,  with 
pleasure,  and  we  hope  to  some  profit. 

The  question  discussed  the  first  evening  that 
we  attended,  was  this : “ Does  civilization  or  the 
general  diffusion  of  knowledge,  enhance  the  hap- 
piness of  man?”  We  were  somewhat  surprised 
that  this  question  should  be  discussed,  by  gentle- 
men of  learning  and  talents,  in  a town  where 
there  is  as  much  intelligence  as  can  be  found  in 
any  town  of  the  same  size  in  the  west.  We  won- 
dered then,  as  we  have  often  done  since,  how  any 
man,  of  ordinary  observation,  could,  after  witness- 
ing the  wonderful  effects  of  knowledge,  its  ten- 
dency to  elevate  the  condition  of  man  socially, 
morally,  and  intellectually,  argue,  that  we,  as  a 
people,  would  be  better  off,  if  we  were  living  in 

(37) 


38 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


a state  of  heathenism,  than  we  are  in  onr  present 
condition. 

After  having  paid  some  attention  to  this  matter 
for  some  years  past,  we  are  well  convinced  that 
quite  a number  of  men  are  to  be  found  in  this 
country,  who  contend  that  the  general  diffusion 
of  knowledge  is  not  conducive  to  the  happiness 
of  man.  They  take  the  ground,  that  an  infinitely 
wise  Being  in  giving  man  his  position  in  the 
world,  throws  around  him,  at  the  same  time,  the 
means  by  which  he  may  acquire,  without  effort, 
all  the  information  that  he  needs,  all  for  which 
he  is  responsible.  Hence,  they  maintain  that  they 
are  under  no  obligations  to  seek  information,  that 
they  will,  as  a necessary  consequence,  in  view  of 
their  associations,  obtain  all  that  is  necessary. 

How,  the  secret  of  the  matter  is,  they  are  satis- 
fied that  as  knowledge  increases,  responsibility 
increases  in  the  same  proportion.  Ajid  this  last 
is  what  they  wish  to  avoid ; and  hence,  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  induce  them  to  use  the  means  by 
which  knowledge  is  to  be  acquired.  They  sup- 
pose that  if  they  ai'e  destitute  of  knowledge,  that 
they  will  not  be  held  responsible  for  their  conduct; 
upon  the  principle,  that  where  little  is  given,  httle 
will  be  required. 

Wei],  in  most  things,  this  is  ti’ue;  but  nine 
times  out  of  ten,  it  is  not  true  when  apphed  to 
knowledge.  And,  especially  in  this  country,  where 
all  are  furnished  with  the  means  of  information. 
Ignorance  of  the  law,  is  no  excuse  for  him  who 


THE  KIHD  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 


39 


has  violated  it,  when  he  might  have  been  familiar 
with  its  requirements.  He  who,  from  ignorance, 
fails  to  do  his  duty,  can  not  be  excused,  if  he  has 
voluntarily  refused  to  use  the  means  by  which  he 
might  have  learned  what  he  ought  to  do.  If  we 
have  the  capacity  for,  and  the  means  of,  acquiring 
information,  and  are  still  ignorant,  we  are  just  as 
guilty  in  the  sight  of  an  all-wise  Being,  and  in 
the  estimation  of  men,  as  if  we  were  to  neglect 
the  performance  of  any  duty,  however  clearly  and 
positively  enjoined  upon  us. 

This  principle  is  clearly  set  forth  in  the  volume 
of  inspiration.  The  Divine  Being  there  says,  hy 
one  of  His  prophets  : “ Because  you  have  rejected 
knowledge,  I will  reject  you.”  It  is  evident  from 
this  language,  that  they  might  have  been  in  pos- 
session of  the  amount  of  knowledge  required,  for 
they  are  represented  as  rejecting  it.  The  ground 
upon  which  they  were  rejected  was,  that  they  were 
ignorant,  and  at  the  same  time,  were  in  possession 
of  the  means  of  information.  And  for  this  last 
they  were  held  accountable.  Thus,  we  perceive, 
that  we  are  responsible,  not  only  for  the  use,  or 
proper  application  of  knowledge,  hut  for  neglect- 
ing the  means  of  acqiiiring  it.  Every  young  man 
should  remember  that  this  principle  holds  good 
at  the  present  day,  and  will  to  the  end  of  time, 
in  temporal  things,  as  well  as  in  spiritual.  If  we 
are  so  ignorant,  from  our  inattention  to  the  means 
of  information,  that  we  are  of  no  service  to  so- 


40 


LECTURES  TO  YOUJiG  MEX. 


ciety,  or  to  our  fellow-beings  generally,  we  surely 
will  not  go  unpunished. 

It  may  be  remarked  here,  by  way  of  more  fully 
illustrating  this  point,  that  the  only  hope  which 
some  men  have  of  eternal  life  beyond  the  isthmus 
of  time  is,  that  they  are  ignorant  of  the  plan  of 
salvation,  as  set  forth  in  the  Gospel  of  Christ; 
and  they  suppose  if  they  remain  so,  that  that  igno- 
rance will  jjlead  for  them  in  the  great  day  of 
accounts.  What  a vain  calculation ! Can  any 
reasonable  individual  suppose,  that  after  the  light 
of  revelation  has  been  steadily  poured  upon  man’s 
pathway  from  the  cradle  to  the  tomb,  that  after 
messengers,  one  after  another,  have  been  sent  to 
point  out  to  him  the  course  that  he  should  pur- 
sue, and,  that  after  the  volume  of  nature  has  been 
spread  out  before  his  eyes  to  urge  him  to  walk  in 
the  path  of  duty,  that  he  will  be  permitted  to 
escape  punishment,  and  enjoy  endless  happiness, 
simply  because  he  lived  and  died  in  ignorance? 
Surely  not.  This  is  a sandy  foundation,  and  no 
man  should  build  upon  it. 

To  the  young  men  of  America,  let  me  speak 
of  better  things.  Throw  off  the  shackles  of  ig- 
norance. Take  a higher  stand,  and  a more  reason- 
able position.  Strive  lawfully  for  the  prize.  Seek 
not  to  screen  yourself  from  responsibility  by  living 
in  ignorance,  but  use  all  the  means  in  your  power 
to  acquire  knowledge.  And  if  with  it  comes  re- 
sponsibility, meet  it  like  a man  of  coui’age  and 


THE  KIND  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 


41 


intelligence  wlio  had  prepared  himself  well  for 
the  contest,  and  in  every  conflict  you  will  be  vic- 
torious, and  reap  at  last,  a rich  reward. 

We  design  noticing,  however,  more  especially, 
the  kind  of  knowledge  to  be  obtained. 

We  remark  here  that  there  are  so  many  kinds 
of  knowledge  that  are  important,  as  being  a means 
of  iisefulness  and  happiness  to  man,  that  we  shall 
have  to  pass  by  several  departments,  and  leave 
them  altogether  unnoticed.  As  we  design  notic- 
ing in  another  lecture  the  importance  of  religious 
knowledge,  we  purpose  in  this,  to  direct  the  at- 
tention of  young  men  to  that  which  is  more  gen- 
eral and  practical,  as  well  as  moral  in  its  charac- 
ter and  tendency,  and  relates  to  men  and  things 
in  this  life. 

In  the  flrst  place,  then,  we  should  acquire  a 
knowledge  of  ourselves. 

We  should  be  well  acquainted  with  our  own 
mental  and  physical  powers,  capabilities,  and 
qualiflcations.  One  great  object  to  be  kept  in 
view,  by  those  situated  as  we  are,  should  be  the 
welfare  of  those  around  us,  as  our  own  interests 
and  welfare  are  intimately  connected  with  theirs. 
A very  important  inquiry  with  us,  then,  should  be, 
what  can  we  do  that  will  have  a beneficial  ten- 
dency in  reference  to  ourselves  and  others? 

Every  young  man  should  inquire,  as  soon  as  he 
comes  to  the  years  of  manhood,  what  course 
shall  I pursue  that  I may  be  successful  in  life, 
and  secure  the  great  ends  of  my  present  exist- 
4 


42 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ence?  In  what  department  shall  I labor?  "WTiere 
can  I be  most  useful?  Shall  I handle  the  spade, 
the  sword,  or  the  scepter?  Have  I the  voice  of  elo- 
quence that  will  thrill  the  minds  of  the  multitude, 
and  move  them  to  the  adoption  of  those  princi- 
ples and  measures  that  will  best  secure  their  in- 
terests and  safety;  or  will  it  he  better  for  me  to 
walk  in  the  more  quiet  paths  of  life,  and  operate 
in  some  sphere  of  action  that  is  more  limited? 

Study  to  know  the  number  of  talents  that  you 
possess,  and  how  you  may  employ  them  to  the 
best  advantage.  Rest  not  satisfied  with  a mere 
casual  knowledge  of  yourself,  but  continue  the 
investigation  until  you  are  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  your  mental  and  physical  powers.  And  then 
it  will  be,  comparatively,  an  easy  matter  for  you 
so  to  shape  yom’  course  in  life,  that  you  may  be 
eminently  useful  to  all  with  whom  you  may  he 
associated. 

“Know  thyself,”  was  a maxim  of  one  of  the 
seven  wise  men  of  Gireece.  And  a greatly  ad- 
vanced state  of  civilization,  famed  for  mental  and 
moral  improvement,  has  only  demonstrated  more 
fully,  the  importance  of  giving  it  our  attention. 
Want  of  self-knowledge  has  led  many  men  to 
seek  for,  and  to  obtain  the  wrong  position,  so  far 
as  their  usefulness  was  concerned,  however  pure 
their  motives,  or  honest  their  intentions.  Men 
are  often  found  in  the  halls  of  the  Legislature  and 
Senate  that  should  be  in  the  workshop.  Some  in 
the  Cabinet  that  should  be  on  our  frontiers,  where 


THE  KIND  OP  KNOWLEDGE. 


43 


they  would  have  more  skill  in  guarding  the  in- 
terests of  our  country  than  they  ever  will  have  in 
their  present  position. 

Some  are  holding  the  reins  of  government,  that 
had  much  better  be  holding  the  plow-handles, 
pushing  the  plane,  or  engaged  in  some  other  busi- 
ness better  adapted  to  their  capacity.  Many  have 
attempted  to  guide  the  affairs  of  State,  who,  if 
they  had  followed  some  mechanical  pursuit,  and 
given  their  mechanical  genius  an  opportunity  of 
developing  itself,  would  have  been  more  useful, 
and  at  the  same  time  universally  admired  on  ac- 
count of  their  skill  and  ability.  It  is  not  unfre- 
quently  the  case  that  men  attempt  to  preach  the 
Gospel  of  Christ,  when  it  is  evident  that  they  had 
better  be  “hearers  of  the  word,”  as  they  are  not 
skillful  in  the  science  of  theology.  And  thus  we 
might  go  on  in  regard  to  many  of  the  learned 
professions  if  it  were  necessary. 

; Men  often  find  after  it  is  too  late  to  admit  of 
any  remedy,  that  by  not  examining  strictly  their 
business  qualifications  early  in  life,  that  they  are 
pursuing  the  wrong  course,  and  have  engaged  in 
a business  not  suited  to  their  capacity.  And  as 
( a natural  consequence  they  have  failed  in  every 
effort  to  get  along  in  the  world.  Many,  after 
making  repeated  efforts,  and  having  failed  in  every 
instance,  have  become  disheartened,  and  relaxed 
; all  their  energies;  and  could  not  be  induced  after- 
ward to  engage  in  business  of  any  kind  whatever. 

I Disappointed  in  their  expectations,  and  having 


44 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


no  hope  of  a better  state  of  things,  such  men 
often  seek  to  relieve  their  feelings  hy  associating 
with  those  who  belong  to  the  worst  grade  of  so-  [ 
ciety,  and  in  some  instances  hy  j)Utting  an  end 
to  their  own  existence. 

But,  we  should  not  only  know  our  strength  but 
our  weakness.  It  is  said  by  the  wise,  that  all  men 
have  their  failings,  their  imperfections.  These 
should  he  carefully  studied,  and  well  defined  in 
our  own  minds.  We  should  find  out,  if  possible, 
when  and  where  we  are  most  liable  to  fail,  where 
we  are  most  liable  to  yield  to  those  infiuences 
that  will  have  an  injurious  efiect  upon  the  mind, 
and  lead  us  off  from  the  path  of  duty.  And  we 
should  learn  to  guard  particularly  those  points. 
For  if  we  fail  here,  we  shall  be  ver}'  apt  to  be 
disappointed  in  our  calculations,  not  so  much  for 
want  of  energy,  but  for  want  of  prudence  and  re- 
fiection. 

How,  if  young  men  would  only  pay  proper  at- 
tention to  this  matter  at  an  early  day,  and  become 
well  acquainted  with  the  peculiar  abilities  which 
they  possess,  they  would  be  fully  prepared,  in  due 
time,  to  make  a judicious  selection  as  to  business, 
and  as  to  associations  in  society,  and  escape  many 
of  the  calamities  to  which  men  are  so  liable  in 
this  world.  And  in  addition  to  this,  they  would 
be  successful  in  life,  eminently  useful  to  others, 
prominent  members  of  society,  and  admired  by 
all  who  are  capable  of  appreciating  theh  manly 
efforts. 


THE  KIND  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 


45 


Again,  we  should  acquire  a knowledge  of  oth- 
ers— of  men  in  general. 

This  department  of  knowledge,  to  a man  of 
business,  is  the  most  important  branch  of  worldly 
knowledge,  to  which  we  could  direct  the  atten- 
tion of  young  men.  They  should  carefully  ex- 
amine every  thing  that  serves  to  throw  light  upon 
this  subject,  for  they  can  but  perceive  in  study- 
ing the  habits,  motives,  and  character  of  man- 
kind, that  it  is  a subject  full  of  interest — full  of 
instruction.  But,  unfortunately  for  most  young 
men  in  this  country,  although  many  of  them  are 
inclined  to  stud}'-  and  investigate  other  subjects, 
they  pay  but  little  attention  to  this. 

We  should  learn  first,  in  the  study  of  individual 
character,  how  to  classify  properly.  In  every 
community  there  are  difierent  classes  of  society, 
difierent  grades  of  character.  ISTow  if  we  fail 
to  distinguish  one  class  from  another,  and  are 
unable  to  point  out  the  marks  that  indicate  the 
different  grades  of  character,  we  shall  study  indi- 
vidual character  to  but  little  profft  to  ourselves. 

We  remark  here,  that  almost  every  community 
may  be  divided  into  ffve  distinct  classes.  First, 
there  is  a class  that  possess  wealth  in  abundance, 
but  they  are  proud,  haughty,  and  tyrannical  in 
their  disposition,  and  have  but  little  regard  for  the 
feelings  of  others.  The  second  class  may  be  said 
to  be  wealthy,  but  they  are  unassuming  in  their 
manners,  willing  to  accommodate  others,  and  are 
always  ready  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  the 


46 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


needy.  The  third  class  is  in  medium  circum- 
stances, so  far  as  wealth  is  concerned,  hut  in  other 
respects,  may  be  compared  to  the  second  class. 
The  fourth  class  consists  of  those  whose  circum- 
stances are  quite  limited,  but  they  are  honorable, 
high  minded,  and  industrious,  and  justly  merit  the 
esteem  of  all  good  men.  The  fifth  class  consists 
of  those  who  have  nothing,  and  want  nothing  over 
and  above  what  will  supply  their  present  neces- 
sities, and  minister  to  their  ungoverned  appetites 
and  passions.  To  better  their  condition,  seems  to 
be  almost  an  impossibility;  for  they  are  incapable 
of  appreciating  the  advantages  of  general  infor- 
mation, and  seem  really  to  prefer  their  present 
condition  to  one  that  would  he  much  better. 

By  thus  arranging  communities  into  distinct 
classes,  our  ideas  of  individual  character  will  be 
more  clear,  and  we  will  have  much  better  concep- 
tions of  the  main  springs  of  human  actions,  in  all 
departments  of  society. 

Whatever  may  he  our  occupation  or  profession, 
whatever  may  he  the  position  that  we  ma}^  wish 
to  occupy  in  society,  we  can  not  he  too  well  posted 
in  regard  to  the  character  of  those  around  us.  In 
fact,  oiir  success,  in  a business  point  of  view,  de- 
pends mainly  upon  our  knowledge  of  mankind. 
And  if  we  are  destitute  of  this  kind  of  knowledge, 
we  will  be  almost  certain  to  make  an  entire  fail- 
ure, in  every  thing  of  a business  character,  that 
we  undertake. 

And  more  especially  is  this  true,  in  the  case  of 


THE  KIND  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 


47 


those  whose  business  it  is  to  watch  and  guide  the 
affairs  of  State,  and  to  govern  and  control  the 
great  body  of  the  people.  Weak  will  be  his 
efforts  and  slow  his  progress,  if  he  aims  to  do  so, 
without  a knowlege  of  the  character  of  those  who 
are  to  be  guided  and  governed. 

Quite  a number  of  men  are  to  be  found,  who 
are  patriotic  in  their  sentiments  and  feelings,  and 
have  correct  ideas  of  the  constitution  and  laws  of 
their  country,  and  of  the  policy  that  should  regu- 
late the  conduct  of  one  nation  toward  another, 
hut  when  they  come  to  investigate  the  condition 
of  the  “local  and  natural  man,”  the  motives  by 
which  he  is  actuated,  “and  to  follow  out  the  the- 
orems of  the  senate  to  the  daily  comforts  of  the 
cottage,”  they  seem  to  he  altogether  deficient. 

They  can  suggest  measures  that  are  patriotic 
and  wise,  and  if  they  were  adopted  would  have  a 
beneficial  tendency,  and  they  seem  really  to  feel 
a deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  people,  but 
they  lack  that  useful  and  practical  information  in 
regard  to  their  special  character,  without  which 
they  can  be  of  but  little  service  to  them.  Their 
knowledge  of  human  nature  is  so  limited,  and 
their  method  of  associating  with  men  so  awkward, 
that  they  absolutely  seem  to  lose  their  influence, 
just  in  the  same  proportion  that  they  mix  with 
the  multitude.  And  while  their  wise  counsels 
should  be  eagerly  listened  to  by  the  people,  they 
are  disposed  to  treat  them  with  contempt,  and 
pass  them  by  altogether  unnoticed. 


48 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


Again,  we  should  acquire  a knowledge  of  man- 
kind in  a national  point  of  view. 

The  people  of  every  nation  have  their  peculiar 
traits  of  character.  There  is  something  in  their 
peculiar  habits,  manners  and  customs,  that  dis- 
tinguish them  from  the  inhabitants  of  all  other 
nations.  We  should  remember  that  there  are  na- 
tional instincts,  sentiments,  and  characteristics, 
that  are  to  be  studied  and  well  understood,  if  we 
would  he  well  prepared  to  get  along  smoothly  in 
the  world.  If  a young  man  fails  to  acquire  a 
knowledge  of  these  national  traits,  sentiments,  and 
peculiarities,  he  will  constantly  find  himself  at  a 
loss  to  know  how  to  act,  so  as  to  succeed  well  in 
what  he  has  undertaken.  He  will  often  find  that 
his  course  of  conduct  is  not  well  adapted  to  the 
peculiar  habits  of  those  with  whom  he  is  sur- 
rounded, and  that  there  is  a want  of  fitness  in  his 
style  and  method  of  getting  along  Avith  them. 

That  the  point,  under  consideration,  may  he 
more  distinctly  seen,  let  us  suppose  that  an  Amer- 
ican citizen,  with  all  his  distinctive  sentiments  and 
feelings,  his  mind  full  of  lofty  notions  in  regard 
to  the  institutions  of  his  country,  and  proud  of 
“ the  place  of  his  nativity,”  should  go  into  a com- 
munity of  Frenchmen,  Scotchmen,  or  Germans,  to 
engage  in  business  for  a length  of  time ; and  let 
us  suppose  that  he  has  but  little  knoAvledge  of 
their  habits  or  dispositions,  and,  that  without  re- 
gard to  either,  he  carries  on  business  according  to 
the  style  and  customs  of  his  native  country.  Is 


THE  KIND  OP  KNOWLEDGE.  49 

it  probable  that  be  will  succeed  to  any  great  ex- 
tent? 

ITo.  There  will  be  to  them  something  strange 
and  peculiar  in  his  turn,  and  his  manner  of  asso- 
ciating with  them,  will  not  suit  their  rules  and 
regulations  in  this  respect,  and,  before  he  can 
accomplish  any  thing  of  importance  among  them, 
he  must  become  familiar  with  their  peculiarities, 
and,  as  far  as  he  can,  without  compromising  cor- 
rect principles,  must  adopt  their  style  and  method 
of  doing  business. 

Here,  then,  we  see  the  importance  of  paying 
attention  to  every  thing  that  will  assist  in  giving 
us  correct  ideas  of  the  individual  and  national 
character  of  those  with  whom  we  must  necessarily 
associate,  if  we  would  successfully  prosecute  any 
branch  of  business.  It  will  afford  us  greater  op- 
portunities of  being  useful  among  them,  and  at 
the  same  time,  give  us  correct  views  of  the  motives 
by  which  they  are  influenced  in  all  their  actions 
and  movements. 

Again,  we  should  acquire  a knowledge  of  the 
means  of  self-protection. 

Ho  one,  we  presume,  will  for  a moment  doubt 
as  to  the  propriety  of  learning  how  to  protect  him- 
self, for  it  is  said  by  the  wise,  and  so  far  as  we 
know  has  never  been  successfully  controverted, 
“ that  self-protection  is  the  flrst  law  of  our  nature.” 

How  we  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  here  as 
having  reference  to  the  use  of  the  bowie-knife, 
the  six-shooting  revolver,  the  sword-cane,  or  any 
5 


50 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


of  those  instruments  by  which  so  much  mischief 
is  often  done,  but  to  those  influences  which  have 
an  injurious  effect  upon  the  mind  and  body,  and 
more  especially  ujDon  the  moral  conduct,  senti- 
ments, and  feelings  of  the  man.  These  are  the 
points  that  are  to  be  guarded  by  young  men,  not 
by  carrying  some  concealed  weapon,  or  instrument 
of  death,  but  by  having  the  mind  well  fortified 
with  that  more  powerful  instrument  of  self-pro- 
tection, useful  knowledge. 

Our  bodies  are  liable  to  a great  many  accidents 
and  dangers,  and  we  should  be  well  apprised  of 
the  fact,  and  should  learn  to  be  cautious  and  to 
guard  well  the  point  from  which  danger  in  these 
respects  may  be  expected.  "Wholesome  food,  air, 
exercise,  and  repose,  at  the  proper  time,  are  neces- 
sary to  the  well-being  of  the  body,  and  a proper 
knowledge  of,  and  attention  to,  the  laws  designed 
to  regulate  the  physical  constitution  will  be  a 
means  of  health,  and  will  enable  us  to  enjoy  more 
fully  the  comforts  of  life.  "While  ignorance  of, 
and  inattention  to,  these  laws  are  productive  of 
pain,  disease,  and  premature  death. 

There  are  laws  also  which  have  special  refer- 
ence to  the  mind — the  proper  exercise  of  the  in- 
tellectual faculties.  They  are  designed  to  expand 
the  powers  of  the  mind,  on  the  one  hand,  and  on 
the  other  to  protect  it  from  all  injurious  influ- 
ences. Now  a young  man  can  not  be  too  well 
accpiainted  with  these  laws.  Knowledge  of,  and 
obedience  to  them,  will  give  health,  rtgor,  and 


THE  KIND  or  KNOWLEDGE. 


51 


elasticity  to  the  mind,  call  forth  all  its  energies, 
and  will  qualify  him  for  the  attainment  of  intel- 
lectual knowledge  and  greatness.  "Wliile  igno- 
rance of  these  laws  will  lead  to  their  violation, 
and  this  to  a state  but  “ little  superior  to  idiotism 
itself.” 

There  are  moral  laws  also,  designed  for  the 
government  of  man  in  a moral  point  of  view. 
And  in  acquiring  a knowledge  of  these  laws,  we 
are  learning  to  protect  ourselves  against  all  im- 
moral influences.  Hence  they  should  be  studied 
carefully,  and  well  understood  by  all.  It  should 
he  borne  in  mind  by  every  young  man,  that  our 
present  happiness  and  eternal  well-being  depend 
upon  obedience  to  these  laws.  He  should  acquire 
a knowledge  of  them  from  the  fact  that  they  have 
a direct  tendency  to  keep  his  mind  open  to  im- 
provement, and  to  the  I’eception  of  those  princi- 
ples which  will  tend  to  form  his  character  and 
regulate  his  life.  If  he  will  carefully  study  those 
laws,  he  will  he  enabled  to  distinguish  truth  from 
error,  and  good  from  evil;  to  feel  the  force  of 
moral  obligation,  and  to  perceive  the  excellences 
of  virtue  and  morality. 

There  are  thousands  of  influences  to  which  the 
young  are  constantly  exposed,  which  tend  directly 
to  poison  their  minds,  to  destroy  their  moral  sensi- 
bilities, and  to  lead  them  into  the  paths  of  vice  and 
ruin.  And  if  they  are  ignorant  of  the  rules  by 
which  alone  they  can  distinguish  between  right 
and  wrong,  their  position  is  imminently  dangerous. 


52 


LECTURES  TO  TOUXG  MEX. 


They  are  to  associate  vdth  the  world  as  it  is,  and 
not  as  it  should  he.  And  they  will  find  in  it 
many  who  have  disregarded  these  law’s,  which 
have  respect  to  man’s  moral  well-being,  and  have 
lived  a life  of  licentiousness,  prodigality,  and  de- 
bauch, until  they  are  lost  to  honor,  beyond  the 
reach  of  moral  influence,  and  now  seem  to  take  a 
fiendish  delight  in  seeking  among  the  virtuous 
young  their  future  companions. 

The  first  step  that  such  men  take,  is  to  deceive 
the  young  by  false  notions  of  morality.  They 
will  paint  their  side  of  the  picture  in  rich  and 
glowing  colors,  and  thus  lead  the  young  man, 
step  by  step,  along  the  path  of  vice  and  misery, 
and  before  he  is  aware  of  his  condition,  he  is  al- 
most in  sight  of  the  whirlpool  of  destruction. 
How  important,  then,  that  all  young  men  should 
acquire  a knowledge  of  the  means  of  self-pro- 
tection ! 

Again,  you  should  acquire  a knowledge  of  the 
laws  and  customs  of  your  country. 

It  is  expected  of  every  citizen  of  this  country, 
that  he  will  be  a law-abiding  man;  that  he  ^viU 
be  a firm  supporter  of  the  constitution  and  laws 
by  which  he  is  to  be  governed  and  protected,  and 
that  he  will  induce  others  to  do  so,  as  far  as  is 
at  all  practicable.  To  do  so  it  is  important  that 
you  have  a correct  idea  of  the  nature  and  charac- 
ter of  those  laws,  and  the  great  objects  to  be  ac- 
complished by  them  when  properly  administered. 

You  should  remember  that  the  law,  in  this 


THE  KIND  OF  KNOWLEDGE. 


53 


country,  is  the  guardian  of  our  rights  and  liber- 
ties, the  source  of  social  order  and  happiness,  and 
the  principal  means  of  protecting  our  homes  and 
firesides  from  the  encroachments  of  the  lawless 
and  the  unprincipled. 

But  more  especially  should  you  he  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  customs  of  the  country,  in  all 
departments  of  society.  Custom,  in  some  respects, 
has  almost  the  binding  force  of  law.  And  you 
should  remember  that  to  depart  from  the  well- 
established  customs  of  good  society,  is  almost  as 
dangerous  as  to  violate  some  well-defined  princi- 
ple of  the  civil  law.  It  will  require  a good  deal 
of  close  observation  to  become  familiar  with  cus- 
toms that  vary  so  much  in  different  communities, 
but  to  be  ignorant  of  them  is  to  run  the  risk  of 
being  very  unpopular,  and  to  destroy  your  influ- 
ence and  usefulness  altogether. 

A young  man  should  never  rest  satisfied  until 
he  has  learned  well  how  to  conduct  himself  on 
all  special,  as  well  as  on  all  ordinary  occasions. 
How  apt  are  young  men  to  neglect  this  matter! 
To  know  how  to  conduct  yourself  in  the  social 
circle,  and  how  to  converse  in  a smooth  and 
agreeable  manner,  are  accomplishments  that  are 
very  desirable,  and  will  always  enable  you  to  make 
a favorable  impression  upon  the  minds  of  those 
with  whom  you  may  become  acquainted.  In  all 
your  associations  with  men,  whether  strangers  or 
acquaintances,  whether  you  are  at  home  or  abroad, 
whether  in  the  streets  or  in  public  assemblies, 


54 


LECTUEES  TO  TOTJXG  MEX. 


learn  to  be  dignified  in  your  manners,  and  to 
treat  all,  who  deserve  it,  with,  the  utmost  respect 
and  civility. 

If  a young  man  will  learn  the  rules  of  polite- 
ness, as  practiced  by  the  well-informed,  how  to 
pass  himself  off  in  good  society,  and  how  to  con- 
duct himself  with  becoming  propriety,  he  will 
soon  attract  the  attention,  gain  the  confidence, 
and  secure  the  friendship  of  all  those  whose  char- 
acter and  influence  can  assist  in  giving  him  posi- 
tion in  the  world. 

Finally,  you  should  acquire  a knowledge  of  the 
sciences,  especially  those  that  may  be  of  service 
to  you  in  the  common  avocations  of  life.  'What- 
ever kind  of  business  may  engage  your  attention, 
you  will  find  that  a knowledge  of  the  most  use- 
ful branches  of  science  is  almost  indispensably 
necessary.  IIow  far  you  are  to  push  your  studies 
in  this  direction,  will,  of  coui’se,  have  to  be  deter- 
mined, to  some  extent,  by  the  circumstances  with 
which  you  are  surrounded.  Every  young  man 
should,  at  least,  acquire  a knowledge  of  natural 
and  moral  philosophy,  chemistry,  and  astronomy; 
and  if  it  is  at  all  practicable  for  him  to  do  so,  he 
should  study  mental  philosophy,  geology,  anato- 
my, and  physiology. 

We  know  that  most  young  men  in  this  coun- 
try are  engaged  in  some  kind  of  business  for  a 
support,  that  requires  their  attention  most  of  then’ 
time,  but  still,  if  they  will  not  waste  their  time 
by  idleness,  and  will  spend  their  leisure  hours  in 


THE  KIND  OE  KNOWLEDGE. 


65 


studying  the  sciences  just  named,  they  will  he 
astonished,  at  the  end  of  a few  years,  to  see  what 
rapid  progress  they  have  made. 

The  idea  prevails  with  some,  and  is  warmly 
advocated  by  them,  that  a man  engaged  in  one 
occupation,  need  not  extend  his  knowledge  be- 
yond it ; but  this  is  a false  and  dangerous  error, 
aud  no  young  man  should  allow  himself  to  he 
misled  by  it.  We  have  often  thought  that  this 
idea  has  its  origin  in  selfishness.  When  we  see 
a man  bend  all  his  energies  into  one  channel,  and 
direct  his  whole  attention  to  the  business  in 
which  he  is  engaged,  while  he  neglects  the  means 
of  information  upon  every  other  subject,  we  can 
but  think  that  he  is  looking  alone  to  his  own 
individual  interest.  And  we  are  well  satisfied, 
that,  as  a general  thing,  such  men  have  but  little 
or  no  regard  for  the  welfare  and  happiness  of 
others. 

But  we  remark  here,  that  it  would  he  impos- 
sible for  us,  in  the  course  of  one  shoih  lecture,  to 
point  out  the  various  kinds  of  knowledge  that  may 
he  useful  to  that  man  who  wishes  to  he  well  pre- 
pared for  the  transaction  of  business,  and  who 
desires  to  he  eminently  useful  to  his  fellow-beings. 
So  much  is  to  he  learned,  and  there  are  so  many 
kinds  of  useful  knowledge,  and  it  lies,  so  to 
speak,  in  so  many  different  directions,  that  a 
young  man,  after  candid  investigation,  will  have, 
to  a considerable  extent,  to  depend  upon  his  own 
judgment  as  to  the  kind  of  intellectual  and  prac- 


56 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


tical  knowledge  that  he  will  most  need  to  give 
proper  direction  to  the  powers  of  his  mind;  and 
more  especially  will  this  he  true,  if  he  intends 
taking  a wide  range  in  his  efforts  to  acquire 
knowledge. 

In  conclusion,  we  would  say  to  the  young 
reader,  rest  not  satisfied  until  your  mind  is  well 
stored  with  intellectual  and  practical  knowledge. 
Make  it  a point  to  learn  something  every  day.  | 
It  may  seem  to  you,  at  times,  that  you  are  get- 
ting along  very  slow  in  this  matter,  but  remem- 
ber that  a majority  of  the  great  men  in  this,  as 
well  as  in  other  countries,  have  become  so  by 
their  unremitting  efforts  to  acquire  knowledge. 
Many  of  them  done  so  under  the  most  discour- 
aging circumstances,  but  now  they  are  reaping 
the  rich  reward  of  all  their  labors.  “ Go  thou  and 
do  likewise.” 

Study  man,  his  weakness,  imperfections,  and 
errors.  Study  the  Bible,  that  you  maj*  learn  i 
something  of  the  character,  perfections,  and  wiU 
of  the  great  Author  of  your  existence ; that  you  ; 
may  realize  your  accountability  to  him,  and  know 
how  to  serve  him.  Learn  how  to  be  useful  and 
happy,  how  to  lighten  the  burden  of  others,  and 
to  cheer  them  in  their  sad  and  lonely  hours ; and 
then,  although  you  sink  down  to  the  tomb,  you 
will  still  live  in  the  memory  of  those  who  have 
been  blessed  by  your  efforts. 


LECTUEE  III. 


MEANS  OP  ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE. 

We  may  say,  without  fear  of  contradiction, 
that  the  present  age  affords  more  facilities  and 
opportunities  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge, 
than  any  that  has  preceded  it.  We  are  aware 
that  they  had  their  institutions  of  learning,  phi- 
losophy, and  such  like,  in  Egypt,  the  city  of 
Athens,  and  in  portions  of  the  Eoman  empire, 
and  that  those  who  lived  in  what  is  commonly 
called  the  golden  age  of  the  world,  had  some 
advantage  over  us  in  acquiring  a knowledge  of 
the  habits  and  customs  of  the  ancients ; but,  when 
compared  with  the  present,  it  seems  to  have 
been  almost  an  age  of  darkness  and  ignorance. 

Within  the  last  two  or  three  centuries,  new  dis- 
coveries, one  after  another,  have  been  made.  The 
light  of  science  shines  more  brightly  than  ever 
before.  All  its  branches  have,  been  simplified  and 
brought  within  the  comprehension  of  the  most 
ordinary  mind.  The  path  that  leads  to  the 
temple  of  knowledge  has  been  made  plain,  and 
all  who  wish  to  travel  that  path,  can  do  so  with 
comparative  ease ; at  least  he  will  find  no  insur- 
mountable difiiculties  in  his  way.  If  a young 
man,  at  the  present  day,  will  hut  take  the  proper 
steps,  and  embrace  all  the  opportunities  with 

(57) 


58 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUEG  MEX. 


which  he  is  favored,  he  will  soon  become  a man 
of  learning,  a man  of  science,  of  historical  know- 
ledge, and  may  possess  a vast  amount  of  general 
information.  All  these  may  be  secured  at  times, 
when,  otherwise,  he  would  he  wholly  imem- 
ployed. 

But,  notwithstanding  all  these  advantages,  what 
an  astonishing  amount  of  ignorance  is  to  be  found 
throughout  nearly  every  portion  of  this  country ! 
Hundreds  and  thousands  are  to  he  found  in  every 
community — those,  too,  of  whom  we  might  have 
expected  better  things — who  are  still  groping 
their  way  in  the  dark,  blind  to  their  own  in- 
terests, and  traveling  at  a rapid  rate  in  error’s 
path,  that  leads  inevitably  to  Auce,  misery,  and 
destruction.  And  what  aggravates  their  case, 
and  makes  it  so  much  worse  with  them,  is,  that 
they  have  closed  their  eyes  against  the  hght. 
They  have  not  only  disregarded  the  means  ot 
instruction,  in  the  use  of  which  they  might  have 
become  wise,  hut  have  resisted,  successfully,  every 
effort  that  has  been  made  to  enlighten  their 
minds,  and  to  ameliorate  their  condition  in  an 
intellectual  point  of  view,  and  seem  determined 
to  live  and  die  in  ignorance. 

While  such  men  are  to  be  pitied,  they  deserve 
to  be  severely  censured  for  pursuing  a course 
that  varies  so  much  from  the  views  and  feehngs 
of  those  who  are  more  wise  in  regard  to  such 
things,  and  that  is  attended  with  so  many  evil 
consequences  which  they  might  so  easily  avoid. 


MEANS  OF  ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE.  59 

Young  men  in  this  country,  surrounded  as 
they  are  with  so  many  circumstances  that  are 
favorable  to  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  should 
remember  that  their  literary  attainments  and 
acquired  abilities  are  expected  to  correspond  with 
their  opportunities.  And  now,  if  they  are  so 
destitute  of  either,  that  they  are  incapable  of 
doing  any  thing  to  benefit  themselves  or  others ; 
so  ignorant,  that  they  are  imposed  upon  by  those 
who  “ lie  in  wait  to  deceive,”  and  their  rights  are 
trampled  upon  by  those  who  are  always  seeking 
tp  get  the  advantage  of  the  weak,  they  are  looked 
upon,  not  as  those  who,  by  misfortune,  are  in 
circumstances  of  distress,  but  as  those  who  are 
being  justly  punished  for  neglecting  their  duty. 

We  would  say,  then,  in  the  language  of  an 
able  writer,  “it  is  a sober  truth,  of  which  every 
young  man  should  feel  the  force,  that,  with  the 
single  exception  of  a good  conscience,  no  posses- 
sion can  be  so  valuable  as  a good  stock  of  infor- 
mation. Some  portion  of  it  is  always  coming 
into  use ; and  there  is  hardly  any  kind  of  infor- 
mation which  may  not  become  useful  in  the  course 
of  an  active  life.” 

Our  principal  object  in  this  lecture,  is  to  call 
the  attention  of  young  men  to  some  of  the  most 
important  means  of  acquiring  knowledge.  These 
are  so  numerous  and  so  various,  that  we  shall 
aim  to  notice  those  only  which  are  evidently  the 
most  useful. 

The  first  to  which  we  would  direct  attention, 


60 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


is  observation,  or  “the  notice  we  take  of  all  oc- 
currences in  human  life,  whether  they  are  sensi- 
ble or  intellectual,  whether  relating  to  persons  or 
things,  to  ourselves  or  others.”  * * All  those 

things  which  we  see,  which  we  hear  or  feel,  which 
we  perceive  by  sense  or  consciousness,  or  which 
we  know  in  a direct  manner,  with  scarce  any  ex- 
ercise of  our  reflecting  faculties,  or  our  reasoning 
powers,  may  be  included  under  the  general  name 
of  observation.”  This  is  one  of  the  principal 
means  of  acquiring  knowledge,  and  without  it, 
much  that  would  be  interesting  and  useful  will 
never  be  obtained  by  us. 

It  was  said  of  Washington,  the  greatest  gene- 
ral, statesman,  and  patriot  the  world  ever  saw, 
that  he  acquired  the  habit,  when  quite  young,  of 
observing  closely  every  event  of  importance  that 
transpired  around  him.  And  it  was,  without 
doubt,  this  habit,  connected  with  a strong  desire 
to  obtain  general  information,  that  afterward 
enabled  him  to  be  so  useful  to  his  country,  and 
to  stand  so  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  Amer- 
ican people.  A distinguished  writer  in  this  coun- 
try, after  he  had  completed  his  education,  made 
it  a point  to  pursue  the  same  course.  And  the 
information  that  he  has  acquired  in  this  way  has 
been  of  more  service  to  him  as  an  author  than 
that  obtained  from  any  other  single  source.  If 
in  the  social  circle,  he  noticed  particularly,  all  that 
was  said  and  done,  and  aimed,  if  possible,  to  dis- 
cover the  motive  that  prompted  the  word  or  ac- 


MEANS  OF  ACQUIEING  KNOWLEDGE.  61 

tion,  as  tlie  case  might  be.  "When  surroxmded  by 
the  multitude,  bis  atteutiou  was  coustautly  di- 
rected to  their  movemeuts,  that  wbeu  be  left  it, 
be  might  be  prepared  to  give  a correct  accouut 
of  all  that  occurred.  If  be  traveled  the  high- 
way, be  observed  the  uatural  sceuery  arouud 
buu,  with  all  its  variatious,  aud  seemed  uot  to  be 
satisfied  while  auy  uew  discovery  was  to  be  made. 

This  coui'se  he  pursued  uutil  his  miud  was  well 
stored  with  that  varied  kuowledge  that  so  distin- 
guished him,  uot  only  as  a great  writer,  but  as  a 
useful  mau. 

This  course  we  would  specially  recommend  to 
all  young  men.  The  advantage  of  so  doing  is 
obvious.  We  may  be  gaining  knowledge  all  the 
time,  and  every  moment  of  our  lives  “may  be 
adding  something  to  our  intellectual  treasures.” 
jSTotice  closely  the  various  business  pursuits  of 
life,  and  the  probability  of  success  in  one  pur- 
suit, when  compared  with  some  other.  Notice 
the  various  pursuits  and  professions  in  which  men 
are  engaged,  and  make  yourself  as  familiar  with 
the  infiuence  they  have  upon  the  morals  of  those 
who  are  engaged  in  them  as  you  possibly  can. 
The  time  may  come  when  this  kind  of  knowledge 
may  be  of  great  service  to  you. 

Observe  closely  the  conduct  of  men,  and  their 
professions  or  pretensions  when  compared  with 
their  actions.  Notice  the  difference  between  the 
general  results  of  vice  and  virtue.  The  imme- 
diate connection  between  the  former  and  misery, 


62 


LECTURES  TO  YOU]N’G  MEN. 


and  the  latter  and  happiness.  Study  minutely 
the  philosophy  of  tliis  connection,  that  you  may 
see  the  impropriety  of  indulging  in  habits  of  ^uce, 
and  the  importance  of  a life  of  virtue. 

When  you  see  a man  who  has  been  so  unfor- 
tunate as  to  he  arraigned  as  a criminal  at  the 
bar  of  justice,  discover  if  you  can,  without  being 
too  otficious,  the  motive  by  which  he  was  actuated 
in  violating  the  laws  of  his  country.  On  the 
other  hand,  if  you  find  a man  that  is  useful  and 
infiuential  in  a community,  find  out  if  you  can, 
the  secret  of  his  popularity,  and  the  grounds  upon 
which  he  has  gained  such  unlimited  confidence 
among  those  with  whom  he  is  associated.  And 
thus  we  might  go  on  to  an  extent  that  would  he 
tedious.  Our  object  is  to  impress  the  minds  of 
the  young  with  the  importance  of  paying  special 
attention  to  men  and  things,  as  we  are  satisfied 
that  in  this  way  he  can  obtain  coiTect  ideas  of 
the  philosophy  of  the  human  mind,  and  of  the 
various  objects  and  events  in  the  vast  universe 
around  him. 

“Endeavor,  therefore,  to  derive  some  instruc- 
tion or  improvement  of  the  mind  from  every 
thing  which  you  see  or  hear,  from  every  thing 
which  occurs  in  human  life,  from  every  thing 
within  you  or  vfithout  you.  * * * * p,et 

the  circumstances  or  situation  in  life  be  what  or 
where  they  will,  a man  should  never  neglect  this 
improvement,  which  may  he  derived  from  obser- 
vation. Let  him  rove  through  the  earth  or  the 


MEANS  OF  ACQUIEING  KNOWLEDGE.  63 

seas,  for  "his  own  humor  as  a traveler,  or  pursue 
his  diversions  in  what  part  of  the  world  he 
pleases,  as  a gentleman;  let  prosperous  or  adverse 
fortune  call  him  to  the  most  distant  parts  of  the 
globe;  still  let  him  carry  on  his  knowledge  and  the 
improvement  of  his  mind  by  wise  observations. 
In  due  time,  by  this  means,  he  may  render  himself 
some  way  useful  to  the  society  of  mankind.” 

Again,  we  may  acquire  knowledge  by  paying 
attention  to  what  we  hear,  and  by  conversation 
with  the  wise  and  experienced. 

It  was  said  by  a distinguished  writer  in  Eng- 
land, “ if  you  would  be  listened  to,  you  must  first 
learn  to  listen.”  This  is  not  only  true  but  im- 
portant. An  immense  amount  of  useful  informa- 
tion may  be  obtained  in  this  way.  Here  again, 
however,  young  men  are  apt  to  be  careless.  An 
idea  is  advanced  by  some  one  in  their  presence 
that  strikes  their  minds  with  jieculiar  force  on 
account  of  its  truth,  its  beauty,  or  its  novelty,  and 
should  be  carefully  remembered  by  them.  But 
how  apt  are  they  to  let  some  trivial  circumstance 
divert  their  attention  at  the  time,  and  direct  it  to 
some  other  object,  while  this  idea,  hoAvever  im- 
portant, is  entirely  erased  from  their  minds,  and 
they  are  left  as  blank  as  if  no  such  idea  had  CA^er 
been  advanced  in  their  presence.  Throughout  the 
United  States,  in  every  city,  tOAvn,  and  village,  as 
Avell  as  in  nearly  every  community,  young  men 
have  the  opportunity  of  listening  to  lectures  upon 
the  various  subjects  of  interest  to  the  American 


64 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


people.  Politics,  science,  morals,  and  religion  are 
regularly  discussed  in  their  hearing,  and  all  are 
permitted  to  listen  and  judge  for  themselves. 
What  a wide  field  is  opened  here  for  the  acquisi- 
tion of  knowledge ! Let  every  young  man  listen 
and  learn,  and  as  he  learns,  let  him  treasure  it  up 
in  his  mind,  and  soon  he  will  he  well  qualified 
for  the  ordinary  duties  of  life,  and  may,  in  due  j 
time,  become  a faithful  advocate  of  those  pure  sen- 
timents that  are  calculated  to  adorn  the  mind,  and 
give  strength  to  the  moral  powers  of  the  man, 

A great  deal  is  to  he  learned  also,  by  convers- 
ing with  men  of  learning  and  experience, 

“ In  generous  conversation,”  said  an  able  writer, 

“ among  ingenious  and  learned  men,  we  have  a 
great  advantage  of  proposing  our  private  opinions, 
and  of  bringing  our  own  sentiments  to  the  test, 
and  learning  in  a more  compendious  and  safer 
way  what  the  -world  will  judge  of  them,  how  man- 
kind will  receive  them,  what  objections  may  be 
raised  against  them,  what  defects  there  are  in  our 
scheme,  and  how  to  correct  our  own  mistakes; 
which  advantages  are  not  easy  to  be  obtained  by 
our  own  private  meditations ; for  the  pleasure  we 
take  in  our  own  notions,  and  the  passion  of  self- 
love,  as  well  as  the  narrowness  of  our  own  views, 
tempt  us  to  pass  too  favorable  an  opinion  on  our 
own  schemes ; whereas  the  variety  of  genius  in 
our  several  associates  will  give  happy  notice  how 
our  opinions  will  stand  in  the  view  of  mankind.” 
We  should  remember,  too,  that  it  is  very  pos-  t 


MEANS  OF  ACQUIEING  KNOWLEDGE.  65 


Bible  for  ns,  many  times,  to  learn  something  from 
those  much  below  ourselves.  Men,  sometimes, 
who  make  no  pretensions  to  wisdom,  and  are 
comparatively  unlearned,  may,  from  their  obser- 
vation and  experience  in  the  things  of  this  life, 
be  well  prepared  to  instruct  those  who,  as  yet, 
have  but  little  knowledge  of  the  ways  of  the 
world.”  A weaker  man  may  sometimes  light  on 
truths  which  have  escaped  a wiser,  and  which  the 
wiser  nian  might  make  a happy  use  of,  if  he 
would  condescend  to  take  notice  of  them.” 

But  it  may  not  be  out  of  place,  just  here,  to 
remark,  that  while  we  listen  attentively  to  what 
we  hear,  we  should  not  be  unmindful  of  the  fact, 
that  there  is  still  a vast  amount  of  error  in  the 
world.  Falsehood  is  sometimes  clothed  in  beau- 
tiful language,  and  set  forth  with  a degree  of 
earnestness  that  is  well  calculated  to  deceive  the 
young  and  unsuspecting.  Theories  well  calculated 
to  mislead  the  mind,  from  the  ingenuity  with 
which  they  have  been  devised,  have  their  warm 
advocates,  men  of  fine  intellectual  attainments, 
whose  only  object  is,  to  blind  the  minds  of  those 
that  hear,  that  they  may  be  able  to  accomplish 
their  selfish  purposes.  And  if  we  receive  every 
thing  that  we  hear  as  true,  we  shall  be  woefully 
imposed  upon,  and  will  often  find  ourselves  in  the 
dark  where  all  should  be  as  light  as  day. 

Again,  reading  and  study  are  means  that  may 
be  successfully  used  in  the  acquisition  of  know- 
ledge. 


6 


66 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


Wlien  we  read  good  auttiors,  we  learn  the 
best,  the  most  labored,  and  most  refined  senti- 
ments, even  of  those  wise  and  learned  men;  for 
they  have  studied  hard,  and  have  committed  to 
writing  their  maturest  thoughts,  and  the  result  of 
their  long  study  and  experience.” 

The  people  of  this  country  are  as  well,  if  not 
better  furnished  with  books,  than  any  other  people 
in  the  world.  Upon  every  subject  of  importance 
to  which  our  attention  has  been  directed,  books 
have  been  written.  So  that  if  we  wish  to  inves- 
tigate thoroughly  any  particular  subject,  we  have 
the  thoughts  and  sayings  of  the  best  writers  and 
speakers  to  assist  us  in  such  investigations.  "What 
an  advantage  have  we,  in  this  respect,  over  those 
who  lived  but  a few  centuries  before  us.  In  a 
few  hours  now,  by  close  attention  to  books,  we 
may  gain  as  much  information,  as  could  have 
been  obtained  a few  years  since,  by  close  appli- 
cation to  study  for  twelve  mouths. 

When  we  look  at  the  vast  amount  of  books 
scattered  throughout  this  country,  and  see  the  sad 
results  of  ignorance  among  the  people  every  where, 
it  is  truly  wonderful.  That  is,  it  is  wonderful  to 
see  them  living  in  ignorance,  when  they  might  so 
easily  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  knowledge.  To  ac- 
count for  this,  and  to  excuse  themselves,  a great 
many  are  to  be  found  who  say,  “ we  know  that 
books,  containing  desirable  and  useful  informa- 
tion are  abundant,  but  we  have  but  little  time  to 
read  them.  If  we  had  the  time  that  this  one  and 


MEAlSrS  OF  ACQFIEHSrO  KNOWLEDGE.  67 

the  other  one  has,  we  wonld  take  great  pleasure 
in  devoting  much  of  our  time  to  the  study  of 
books.  But  situated  as  we  are,  our  business  en- 
gagements are  such  that  we  have  but  little  time 
to  spend  in  that  way.” 

Well,  with  the  generality  of  young  men  in  this 
country,  this  declaration  is  false  in  fact,  and  vurong 
in  principle.  For  it  may  be  observed,  as  a general 
thing,  that  when  such  men  are  free  from  all  busi- 
ness engagements,  they  almost  invariably  amuse 
themselves  in  some  other  way  than  by  paying  at- 
tention to  books.  Which  puts  the  matter  beyond 
doubt,  that  the  only  ditliculty  in  their  way  is  want 
of  inclination. 

Ask  that  young  man  why  he  does  not  spend 
more  of  his  time  in  his  studies ; and  he  will  tell 
you  that  he  can  not  spare  the  time.  But  notice 
him  for  a short  time,  and  you  will  see  that  he 
has  time  to  go  to  the  bowling  saloon,  the  theater, 
the  circus;  he  has  time  for  a large  share  of  so- 
ciety and  amusement;  if  friends  are  to  meet 
together  for  a few  hours  of  social  enjoyment,  he 
can  be  there  without  fail ; in  fact,  he  has  time  to 
gratify  himself  in  almost  every  way  that  may  be 
proposed,  but  no  time  to  read. 

Ifow,  we  ask,  would  it  not  be  better  for  thad 
young  man  to  spend  less  of  his  time  in  the  pur- 
suit of  pleasure,  and  more  of  it  in  the  pursuit  of 
knowledge?  Would  it  not  be  better  for  him  to 
be  a little  less  rich,  to  have  a little  less  of  that 
which  at  most  can  only  adorn  the  body  and  minis- 


68 


LECTTJEES  TO  TOUXG  MEX. 


ter  to  Ills  natural  propensities,  and  more  of  that 
which  enriches  and  adorns  the  nobler  part  of 
man,  his  intellectual  faculties?  We  leave  the 
reader  to  answer  this  question. 

“ To  all  our  young  friends,  and  especially  to  the 
young  man  just  entering  on  the  stage  of  life,  we 
would  say,  “ Eead ; if  you  have  not  already  ac- 
quired a taste  for  this  most  delightful  of  all  oc- 
cupations, begin  with  the  most  interesting  book 
you  can  find — a book  of  amusement,  if  you  can 
not  relish  any  thing  better;  then  try  something 
more  solid,  and  so  proceed  until  you  can  relish 
the  most  abstruse  reasonings,  or  the  most  scien- 
tific disquisitions.  Be  assured,  that  any  sacrifice 
of  inclination  you  may  make  at  first,  will  be 
amply  repaid,  in  solid  enjoyment,  at  last.” 

But  now  a very  important  point  to  be  settled 
is,  Avhat  books  shall  we  read  ? By  what  rule  shall 
we  be  governed  in  making  a selection  ? In  answer- 
ing these  questions  correctly,  there  is  some  difii- 
culty ; for  the  minds  of  different  men  are  differ- 
ently constituted.  Ho  two  are  exactly  alike  as  to 
fancy,  desires,  or  aspirations.  In  some  respects, 
there  may  be  a striking  resemblance,  in  other 
respects,  a very  broad  distinction.  Hence  the 
difficulty  just  named.  In  some  instances  it  may 
be  best  for  a young  man  to  select  for  himself; 
with  others  it  would  be  well  for  them  to  get  the 
advice  of  some  friend  who  will  do  to  rely  upon, 
both  as  to  his  judgment  and  literary  attainments. 

Said  one  Avho  had  paid  much  attention  to  this 


MEANS  OP  ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE.  69 

matter,  “ great  caution,  however,  is  required  in  the 
choice  of  hooks,  for  if  they  produce  no  effect  on 
the  mind,  the  time  spent  in  reading  them  is 
wasted ; if  a bad  effect,  it  is  worse  than  wasted ; 
every  book  should  he  read,  therefore,  with  a dis- 
tinct view  to  some  good  effect  on  the  mind,  or  to 
some  definite  object  in  the  business  of  life.-’’  We 
suggest  that  you  include  in  your  course  of  read- 
ing, a considerable  portion  of  history,  both  sacred 
and  profane,  natural  and  revealed  religion,  the 
evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  the  various 
branches  of  natural  and  moral  science,  such  as 
natural  philosophy,  chemistry,  and  astronomy,  as 
already  noticed  in  another  chapter,  mental  philo- 
sophy, the  general  principles  of  government,  books 
that  relate  to  your  specific  profession  or  business, 
that  will  enlai’ge  your  mental  powers,  that  will 
give  you  correct  ideas  of  the  common  principles 
by  which  human  nature  is  actuated,  and  enable 
you  to  comprehend,  as  far  as  possible,  the  wonder- 
ful movements  of  nature. 

Books  containing  immoral  sentiments,  low  and 
vulgar  stories  designed  to  please  men  of  shallow 
minds  and  impure  principles,  should  be  rejected 
by  every  gentleman,  and  especially  every  young 
gentleman  of  refined  sentiments  and  feelings. 
Such  books  are  very  injurious  in  their  influence 
upon  the  mind,  and  moral  sensibilities  of  young 
persons.  They  leave  a stain  upon  the  tablet  of 
the  heart  that  is  removed  with  great  difficulty  in 
after  years. 


70 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEY. 


ITow,  after  we  liave  pursued  a regular  course  of 
reading,  say,  similar  to  tliat  already  pointed  out 
in  this  chapter,  after  our  minds  are  richly  fur- 
nished with  useful  information,  and  we  are  well 
prepared  to  defend  our  principles  and  resist  the 
influence  of  error  in  every  shape  and  form,  we 
may  pay  some  attention  to  books  containing  sen- 
timents that  are  at  variance  with  the  principles 
of  morality,  that  we  may  be  prepared  to  oppose 
their  corrupting  influence,  and  to  give  instruction 
to  those  whose  minds  are  not  so  fully  matured. 

But  what  of  novels — their  utility  as  a means  of 
acquiring  knowledge  ? Our  advice  to  young  men 
is,  pass  them  by  altogether.  And  this  we  say,  not 
without  due  reflection  and  a good  deal  of  investi- 
gation. "VYe  know  it  is  said,  hy  those  who  favor 
the  practice  of  reading  novels,  that  from  them  we 
obtain  some  fine  ideas  of  human  nature,  its  im- 
perfections, correct  ideas  of  the  faculties  of  the 
mind,  of  man’s  power  to  resist  improper  influences 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  influence  of  strong 
temptation  on  the  other,  the  eftects  of  poverty  and 
wealth,  of  vice  and  virtue,  and  such  like ; hut  we 
ask,  is  it  the  novelist  alone,  that  understands  the 
philosophy  of  human  nature,  and  of  the  human 
mind  ? Does  he  alone,  understand  the  captivating 
power  of  wealth,  the  results  of  poverty,  of  vice 
and  virtue?  Is  it  possible  that  we  are  under  the 
necessity  of  pursuing  the  pages  of  fiction,  where 
every  thing  is  designedly  enveloped  in  darkness 
and  mystery,  to  obtain  a knowledge  of  man’s  men- 


MEANS  OP  ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE.  71 


tal  and  physical  powers  and  of  his  natural  dispo- 
sition, and  to  obtain  correct  ideas  of  those  pure 
principles  by  which  intelligent  people  should  be 
governed  ? 

ISTo.  We  have  books  that  were  written  by  men 
of  learning,  of  diligent  research,  and  of  close  ob- 
servation. Compared  with  most  of  our  novel 
writers,  they  are  intellectual  giants.  Their  minds 
have  not  been  intoxicated  by  the  peculiar  fashions 
and  customs  of  the  day,  and  carried  away  into  the 
regions  of  fancy  and  idle  speculation,  but  they 
have  taken  a sober  common  sense  view  of  things, 
azad  have  set  forth  in  a clear  light,  without  the 
fictitious  garb  of  romance,  the  different  shades 
that  diversify  human  character,  the  loveliness  of 
a virtuous  course  of  conduct,  the  influences  that 
operate  with  such  force  upon  the  mind  and  feel- 
ings of  men,  and  all  those  circumstances  which 
lead  to  the  formation  of  character,  and  shape 
man’s  course  in  the  present  state  of  existence. 
These  are  the  hooks  that  a young  man  should 
read.  These  are  the  books  from  which  we  may 
obtain  correct  views  of  the  physical,  mental,  and 
moral  powers  of  man,  and  of  those  noble  traits  of 
character  so  much  admired  by  the  wise  and  vir- 
tuous. 

“But  are  all  novels  to  he  eschewed?  Are  not 
some  of  them  pure  both  in  style  and  tendency? 
To  this  last  question  I reply,  it  is  true  that  some 
novels  are  better  than  others ; in  themselves  they 
may  be  unspotted,  yet  in  one  point  they  do  harm ; 


72 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


they  create  a taste  for  fictitious  reading.  Tiiis 
taste  soon  acquires  the  intensity  of  a passion.  The 
mind  acquires  a craving  for  excitement,  and  thus 
the  youth,  who  begins  by  reveling  among  the 
splendid  paintings  of  Sm  Walter  Scott’s  pen,  or 
by  subjecting  himself  to  the  quiet  enchantment 
of  Frederika  Bremer’s  spirit,  will  speedily  seek 
the  works  of  more  impassioned  authors.  He  will 
hasten  from  Dickens  to  James,  from  James  to 
Bulwbr,  from  Bulwer  to  Ainsworth,  from  him 
to  Eugene  Sue,  and  finally  he  will  steep  his  pol- 
luted mind  in  the  abominations  of  that  Moloch 
among  novelists,  Paul  de  Kock.  By  this  time 
he  is  ready  for  destruction.  By  venturing  into  the 
pleasant  ripple,  he  has  been  tempted  to  sport  in 
the  heaving  breakers,  until,  caught  by  the  resist- 
less under-current,  he  is  borne  out  to  sea,  and 
meets  a premature  death.  How  much  better  to 
have  avoided  the  ripple!  Young  man,  beware  of 
reading  your  first  novel!”  Young  Man’s  Coun., 
page  213. 

But  having  made  a selection  as  to  books,  remem- 
ber that  much  of  your  time  will  be  lost  if  you  do 
not  read  according  to  some  regular  plan  or  method  ; 
with  some  definite  object  in  rtew.  To  see  the 
importance  of  this  fact,  let  us  suppose  that  when 
a young  man  wishes  to  spend  some  time  with  his 
books,  he  takes  up  that  one  that  is  casually  in  his 
w^ay,  and  reads  no  longer  at  any  one  time  than  he 
is  prompted  by  his  inclination.  "Wliile  another 
young  man  has  the  subject  of  investigation  before 


MEAlSrS  OP  ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE.  73 


his  mind,  and  the  book  that  he  intends  to  peruse, 
in  his  inquiries,  and  goes  to  work  according  to 
some  well-digested  plan.  At  the  end  of  any  given 
length  of  time,  what  a difference  may  be  observed 
in  the  progress  that  they  have  made ! 

We  lose  much  time  also,  by  reading  without 
having  the  attention  fully  fixed  upon  the  subject 
to  be  investigated.  Obtain,  as  far  as  possible,  suf- 
ficient power  over  your  mind  to  hold  it  to  the 
subject  and  to  exclude  every  thing  that  is  foreign, 
or  does  not  properly  belong  to  it,  and  your  success 
will  be  beyond  your  expectations.  We  may  make 
a good  selection  as  to  the  book,  may  read  regu- 
larly and  a great  deal ; but  if,  while  we  read,  the 
mind  is  running  from  one  thing  to  another,  not 
connected  with  the  subject  to  be  investigated,  we 
shall  read  to  very  little  profit. 

Remember,  also,  that  reading  alone  can  not 
make  a man  wise,  without  study.  You  should 
accustom  yourself  to  meditation,  to  close  thinking. 
Make  it  a point  to  understand  whatever  you  see 
or  read.  We  may  run  through  a book  with  but 
little  difficulty,  but  after  we  have  read  every  page, 
we  may  know  but  little  about  its  contents.  It 
would  be  much  better  for  us  to  read  and  study 
well  a few  pages,  than  to  read  the  entire  volume 
without  study  or  due  reflection. 

'I  “ It  is  most  conducive  to  health  to  let  one  meal 
“ digest,  before  we  take  another ; it  might  be  equal- 
ly beneficial  not  to  take  up  another  book,  perhaps 
not  to  pass  to  another  page,  till  we  have,  by  re- 
7 

; i 
1 


74 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


flection,  securely  made  tliat  our  own  whicli  we 
have  just  been  reading.  To  join  thinking  with 
reading,  is  one  of  the  flrst  maxims,  and  one  of 
the  easiest  operations.  There  is  something  to 
work  upon ; the  mind  has  only  to  shape,  to 
square,  to  polish  it,  which  may  be  done  with  com- 
parative ease.” 

Bear  in  mind,  also,  that  a strong  determination 
to  succeed  is  absolutely  necessary  to  success  in 
this  matter.  In  fact,  hardly  any  thing  valuable 
can  he  acquired  wuthout  fii’mness  of  purpose — 
decision  of  character.  Having  fixed  your  mind 
on  knowledge  as  the  great  and  desirable  end  to 
he  accomplished,  let  no  trivial  circumstance  dis- 
courage you.  Persevere,  and  resolve  to  conquer 
and  overcome  every  difficulty. 

“Perhaps  you  are  what  the  world  calls  poor. 
What  of  that?  Most  of  the  men  whose  names 
are  as  household  words  were  also  the  children  of 
poverty.  Captain  Cook,  the  circumnavigator  of 
the  globe,  was  horn  in  a mud-hut,  and  started  in 
life  as  a cabin  boy.  Helson,  England’s  greatest 
admiral,  was  only  a coxswain  in  his  youth.  Lord 
Eldon,  who  sat  on  the  woolsack,  in  the  British 
parliament,  for  nearly  half  a century,  was  the  son 
of  a coal  merchant.  Eranklin,  the  philosopher, 
diplomatist,  and  statesman,  was  but  a poor 
printer’s  boy,  whose  highest  luxury,  at  one  time, 
was  only  a penny  roll,  eaten  in  the  streets  of 
Philadelphia.  Eerguson,  the  profound  philos- 
opher, was  the  son  of  a half-starved  weaver. 


MEANS  OP  ACQUIRING  KNOWLEDGE.  75 

Hayne,  the  renowned  German  scholiast,  was  horn 
in  a poor  peasant’s  cot.  Burns,  the  bard  of 
Scotland,  ate  the  coarse  bread  of  labor.  The 
lamented  Kirk  White,  the  youthful  poet,  was  the 
son  of  a butcher.  Whitetield,  the  most  renowned 
of  pulpit  orators,  was  the  son  of  a tavern-keeper. 
John  Wesley,  the  greatest  ecclesiastical  legislator 
of  his  age,  was  the  son  of  a poor  village  vicar, 
whose  scanty  income  scarce  sustained  his  numer- 
ous children.  Johnson,  Goldsmith,  Coleridge, 
Keats,  Crabbe,  all  knew  the  pressure  of  limited 
circumstances,  yet  they  made  themselves  a name. 
They,  with  many  others,  have  demonstrated  that 
limited  means,  or  poverty  even,  is  no  insuperable 
obstacle  to  success.” 

In  using  the  various  means  to  acquire  general 
information,  be  not  too  hasty  in  forming  your 
opinion.  There  are  persons  whose  business  it  is 
to  lay  down  rules,  to  guard  the  morals  of  the 
people,  and  to  give  them  instruction  in  regard  to 
those  things  which  pertain  to  their  present  happi- 
ness and  future  well-being.  But  we  should  re- 
member that  men  are  fallible  beings ; and  that, 
although  they  may  be  honest,  they  may  advocate 
doctrines  that  are  false,  and  injurious  in  their 
tendency.  You  should  be  open  to  conviction, 
but  guard  against  error  in  every  shape  and  form. 

Do  not  allow  yourself  to  be  governed  by  the 
opinions  or  the  example  of  others ; but  search  for 
truth  as  for  a hidden  treasure ; and  having  found 
it,  make  that  your  guide  in  all  your  undertakings, 


76 


LECTURES  TO  TOUXG  MEX. 


and  it  will  be  yonr  sure  defense  in  every  time  of 
need. 

And  now,  young  reader,  we  bave  presented  to 
your  mind  a few  plain  ideas  upon  a subject  of 
vast  importance.  If  we  have  said  any  thing  that 
will  prompt  you  to  be  more  earnest  and  diligent 
in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  we  shall  have  ac- 
complished the  end  we  have  had  in  view  in  writ- 
ing the  preceding  pages.  Bear  in . mind,  that 
“knowledge  is  better  than  wealth.”  Wealth  may 
enable  you  to  make  a show  in  the  world,  to 
attract  the  attention  of  the  “giddy  and  the  gay,” 
and  to  secure  the  friendship  of  those  who  will  be 
the  first  to  forsake  you  if  you  should  meet  with 
some  misfortune ; but  a knowledge  of  man,  a 
knowledge  of  the  world,  and  of  the  things  of  the 
world,  and  especially  of  the  great  plans  of  Jeho- 
vah, wfill  enable  us  to  gain  a position  among  men, 
in  point  of  true  greatness,  which,  otherwise,  we 
never  could  gain  by  all  the  wealth  of  the  world. 


LECTURE  lY. 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATURE. 

When  we  commenced  writing  this  course  of 
lectures,  we  had  thought  hut  little  of  writing  a 
separate  lecture  on  the  laws  of  nature ; from  the 
fact  that  to  enter  fully  into  the  discussion  of  this 
subject,  in  all  its  branches,  would  require  more 
time  than  we  wish  to  spend  in  the  investigation 
of  any  one  subject.  Another  reason  which  we 
may  assign  is,  we  have  no  inclination  to  engage 
in  the  discussion  of  any  subject  about  which  there 
is  considerable  controversy.  It  is  well  known,  at 
least  to  all  those  who  are  tolerably  well  informed, 
that  there  is  a great  variety  of  opinions  in  regard 
to  the  government  of  the  natural  world.  While 
all  agree  that  it  is  governed  by  an  All-wise  Being, 
they  differ  greatly  as  to  the  method  of  TIis  admin- 
isti’ation.  Hence  to  take  either  view  of  this  sub- 
ject is  to  be  considered,  to  a greater  or  less  extent 
at  least,  as  taking  sides  against  all  Avho  differ  with 
you  in  opinion.  As  no  particular  sect,  however, 
as  such,  maintains  any  particular  position  in  re- 
gard to  this  subject,  we  shall  not,  in  setting  forth 
our  views  on  it,  be  regarded  as  a sectarian  bigot. 

While  sitting  and  conversing  with  a gentleman 
of  this  place,  some  evenings  since,  the  conversa- 
tion took  a turn  which  led  him  to  speak  of  a 

(77) 


78 


LECTURES  TO  YOUIs'G  MEX. 


tornado  which  passed  immediately  over  our  little 
village  some  eight  years  since.  It  blew  down 
nearly  every  tree  and  house  in  the  jjlace,  destroyed 
a large  amount  of  property,  besides  killing  and 
wounding  quite  a number  of  persons.  This  gen- 
tleman alluded  to  various  circumstances  connected 
Avith,  and  effects  produced  by  this  tornado;  and 
then  added,  that  “the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  uni- 
verse has  nothing  to  do,  directly,  with  storms, 
earthquakes,  volcanoes,  and  the  like;  for  they  are 
the  results  of  the  regular  operation  of  the  laws 
of  nature.” 

To  his  views  on  this  subject,  we  could  not  sub- 
scribe, and  we  immediately  took  ground  against 
his  position.  We  also  endeavored,  by  a feAV  sim- 
ple illustrations,  to  convince  him  (with  what  suc- 
cess we  are  not  able  to  say)  that  he  was  wrong, 
and  that  the  tendency  of  such  a theory  was  to 
lead  men  to  distrust  the  wisdom  of  the  divine  ar- 
rangements. After  interchanging  our  views  for 
a time,  in  regard  to  these  matters,  Ave  separated. 
This  conversation,  however,  suggested  to  our 
minds  the  propriety  of  Avriting,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  young,  the  folloAviug  lecture. 

Our  object  is  to  set  forth,  in  as  clear  a light  as 
Ave  can,  the  means  by  which  an  All-Avise  Being 
goA^erns  the  world,  and  brings  about  the  various 
events  which  transpire  around  us. 

We  are  apprised  of  the  fact,  that  to  present  this 
subject  in  such  a light  as  to  be  understood  by  the 
young  reader,  would  be  a very  difficult  matter. 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATUEE. 


79 


It  is  a subject  “hard  to  be  understood.”  "We  re- 
alize that  it  is  enveloped  in  mystery  in  some  of 
its  ramifications,  and  doubtless  will  be  to  the  end 
of  time;  as  some  of  the  principles  of  the  divine 
government  never  will  be  fully  understood  by 
man  in  the  present  state  of  existence.  But  in  the 
meantime,  it  stands  every  man  in  hand  to  know 
all  that  he  can  of  the  works  and  ways  of  Him 
“who  rideth  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind,”  and 
“hath  His  way  in  the  whirlwind  and  in  the 
storm;”  and  to  Whom  he  will  finally  be  held 
accountable  for  all  his  thoughts,  words,  and 
actions. 

Whatever  may  be  thought  of  our  opinions  by 
others,  we  are  fully  persuaded  in  our  own  minds, 
that  the  cause  of  virtue  and  religion  among  men, 
in  a practical  sense  at  least,  depends,  to  a consid- 
erable extent,  upon  the  views  which  they  enter- 
tain of  the  divine  government.  If  men  are  so 
benighted  as  to  believe  that  the  Divine  Being  is 
merely  an  arbitrary  ruler  in  his  government  of 
man  and  the  affairs  of  this  world,  they  will  be 
naturally  inclined  to  depart  from  his  ways.  To 
see  the  truth  of  the  position  here  assumed,  we 
have  only  to  examine  the  history  of  those  nations 
or  people  who  have  confused  or  incorrect  ideas 
of  the  government  of  an  All-wise  Being,  and  we 
shall  invariably  find  that  they  pay  but  little  atten- 
tion to  the  laws  or  requirements  of  God. 

In  fact,  ignorance  of  the  principles  upon  which 
the  universe  is  upheld  and  its  affairs  controlled, 


80  LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEY. 

or  confused  ideas  with  respect  to  them,  disquali- 
fies the  mind  for  a proper  appreciation  of  those 
wise  and  benevolent  principles,  and  results  in  dis- 
satisfaction with  the  best  arrangements  that  infi- 
nite wfisdom  can  devise  for  the  comfort,  safety, 
and  well-being  of  man.  More  than  this;  igno- 
rance of  these  rules  leads  to  practical  atheism  in 
its  w'orst  forms,  to  immorality,  and  to  a general 
disregard  for  those  rules  and  regulations  that 
should  bind  man  to  man,  and  man  to  his  Creator. 

[No  one,  we  presume,  who  has  been  a close  ob- 
server of  the  conduct  of  men,  and  the  motives  by 
which  they  are  actuated,  has  failed  to  perceive 
that  almost  all  professed  infidels,  when  questioned 
closely  respecting  their  views  of  the  government 
of  the  universe,  seem  to  he  at  a loss  and  have  no 
well-defined  ideas  in  regard  to  this  matter,  and 
are  more  inclined  to  deny  the  truth  of  a plain 
proposition,  well-supported  by  facts,  and  demon- 
strated by  positive  evidence,  than  they  are  to  de- 
fine definitely  their  own  views.  This  being  true, 
we  can  not  be  very  far  wrong  in  saying,  that  the 
lack  of  a proper  understanding  of  the  operations 
of  nature,  and  the  immediate  agency  by  which 
the  affairs  of  this  world  are  controlled,  are  sui’e  to 
lower  the  standard  of  morality,  and  dry  up  the 
fountain  of  piety  and  virtue. 

On  the  other  hand,  in  the  same  proportion  that 
man  understands  the  principles  of  the  divine  gov- 
ernment, will  he  discover  the  wisdom  and  good- 
ness of  God  in  all  his  plans,  in  reference  to  man 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATUEE. 


81 


as  an  intelligent  being,  and  in  reference  to  every 
thing  else  around  him;  and  hence,  he  is  better 
prepai’ed  to  see  the  reasonableness  of  the  positive 
commands  of  God  than  he  possibly  could  be 
otherwise.  It  is  a settled  point,  we  presume,  that 
among  those  who  have  correct  ideas  of  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Creator  and  Sustainer  of  all 
things,  there  is  more  genuine  piety,  more  patient 
and  willing  submission  to  the  providential  dispen- 
sations of  that  Being,  than  can  be  found  any- 
where else. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  some  of  our  best 
speakers  and  most  profound  and  logical  writers, 
have  paid  so  little  attention  to  the  laws,  according 
to  which  the  affairs  of  this  world,  and  the  interests 
of  the  human  family,  are  governed.  They  seem 
not  to  have  felt  the  importance  of  so  doing,  and 
referred  to  such  matters  only,  when  they  casually 
came  up  before  their  minds,  and  demanded  their 
attention. 

Others,  however,  of  the  class  just  named,  as  to 
ability,  seeing  that  a knowledge  of  the  divine 
government  is  indispensable  to  the  best  interests 
of  men,  have  examined  every  thing  in  their  way 
that  wms  calculated  to  throw  light  on  this  subject, 
and  assist  them  in  their  investigations,  feeling 
that  it  was  important  for  them  to  do  so,  in  view 
of  the  relation  they  sustained  to  their  fellow- 
beings. 

They  have,  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability,  en- 
deavored to  arrive  at  correct  notions  in  regard  to 


82 


LECTURES  TO  YOUJfG  MEY. 


the  laws  of  nature,  that  they  might,  thereby,  ho 
prepared  to  instruct  those  who,  for  want  of  such 
views,  were  in  darkness  and  ignorance,  and  dis- 
posed to  disregard  the  plainest  commands  of  the 
great  Author  of  their  existence. 

It  is  very  important  that  every  individual,  and 
especially  all  young  persons,  should  investigate 
this  subject,  and  learn  all  they  can  in  reference 
to  it.  To  this  end,  they  should  carefully  examine 
the  opinions  of  those  who  have  spent  so  much 
of  their  time  in  trying  to  bring  its  principal  fea- 
tures to  view  in  their  true  light. 

In  doing  so,  you  will  find,  as  already  suggested, 
that  you  can  not  comprehend  this  subject,  in  ah. 
its  bearings,  by  a mere  casual  glance  at  the  facts 
connected  vfith  it;  for  there  are  “problems  of 
difiicult  solution,”  seeming  contradictions  to  be 
reconciled,  depths  to  be  fathomed,  bights  to  be 
ascended,  and  lengths  and  breadths  to  be  sur- 
veyed, that  will  require  a great  deal  of  close  in- 
vestigation to  be  well  understood.  But  you 
should  remember  that  determination  and  perse- 
verance will  overcome  the  most  formidable  diffi- 
culties. 

In  attempting  to  write  a lecture  on  this  subject, 
we  are  conscious  of  our  inability  to  do  it  justice ; 
but  we  are  disposed  to  run  the  risk  of  severe 
criticism,  and  make  what  may  be  justly  called  a 
weak  efibrt,  to  throw  some  light  upon  this  sub- 
ject, if  we  can  hut  get  others  to  feel  its  import- 
ance, and  investigate  it  for  themselves.  lA e hope 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATURE. 


83 


that  the  time  will  soon  come,  when  all  that  is 
definitely  understood  in  reference  to  the  laws  of 
nature  and  the  arrangements  of  the  divine  Being, 
will  be  so  fully  illustrated  and  made  so  plain, 
that  every  student  of  the  works  of  feature  may 
see  and  understand  how  the  affairs  of  this  world 
are  managed. 

In  directing  the  attention  of  the  reader  to  the 
main  point  under  consideration,  we  inquire — How 
does  the  Supreme  Being  sustain  and  govern  the 
world?  By  what  secret  agent  is  its  affairs  con- 
trolled? Or,  by  what  secret  power  or  influence 
is  the  vast  machinery  of  the  universe  kept  in 
motion  ? 

To  our  mind,  no  question  of  more  importance 
presents  itself,  except  that  which  relates  to  the 
existence  of  the  deity.  It  has  been  a subject  of 
deep  interest  to  man,  in  all  ages  of  the  world, 
wherever  he  has  had  sufficient  light  to  see  the 
wisdom  of  Glod  as  displayed  in  the  works  of 
creation,  and  his  power  as  set  forth  in  the  opera- 
tions of  nature  around  him.  It  has  given  rise  to 
many  absurd  notions  and  visionary  theories,  which 
have  been  warmly  advocated  by  men  who  were 
bold  and  reckless  in  their  assertions ; and  to  ex- 
amine their  writings,  it  will  he  easily  seen  that 
they  had  more  zeal  than  judgment. 

They  seemed  never  to  consider  the  sad  results 
which  might  follow  the  misrepresentation  of  a 
subject,  the  proper  understanding  of  which  leads 
men  in  the  ways  of  pleasantness  and  peace.  But 


84 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


they  are  responsible  for  what  they  have  said, 
and  for  the  injury  they  may  have  done. 

Various  opinions  and  theories  have  been  pre- 
sented, purporting  to  be  a satisfactory  answer  to 
the  main  question  as  stated  above. 

One  class  maintains,  that  after  God,  in  the 
beginning,  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  the 
sun  to  give  light  by  day,  the  moon  and  stars  by 
night — after  throwing  them  into  space  in  their 
present  form,  and  giving  them  regular  and  har- 
monious movements  with  respect  to  each  other, 
assigning  to  each  its  specific  orbit — after  giving 
the  air,  the  waters,  and  each  elementary  principle 
its  particular  bounds,  he  retired  to  some  secret 
part  of  the  universe,  “ where,  in  solitude,  he 
might  enjoy  the  blessedness  of  his  own  infinite 
nature ; and  that  he  no  longer  troubles  himself 
by  watching  the  Avorks  of  his  own  hands ; but 
has,  from  that  time  to  this,  been  an  idle  spectator 
of  the  affairs  of  this  world,  pays  no  attention  to 
it,  feels  no  concern  about  it,  but  has  committed 
it  to  the  rule  of  fate  or  chance. 

The  statement  of  this  theory  is  sufiicient  to 
expose  its  absurdity.  Its  advocates  have  Avearied 
themselves  in  vain  to  support  it,  and  have  finally 
become  ashamed  of  a position  that  varies  so  much 
with  the  principles  of  sound  philosophy,  and  are 
adopting  sentiments  more  in  accordance  with  the 
developments  of  science,  sound  reason,  and  the 
enlightened  views  of  the  present  day. 

A still  larger  class  maintain  that  God  is  not 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATURE. 


85 


only  the  creator,  and,  also,  the  npholder  and  con- 
servator of  all  things,  and  in  a certain  sense, 
controls  the  movements  of  things,  but  they  con- 
tend that  it  is  by  the  agency  of  the  laws  of  na- 
ture, or,  in  other  words,  by  the  power  which  he 
has  impressed  upon  matter,  or  that  which  is  to 
he  governed,  and  that  these  laws  possess  sutiicient 
power  to  execute  themselves,  independent  of  any 
special  act  of  Deity;  and  he,  therefore,  does  not 
exercise  any  immediate  agency  in  the  operations 
of  nature. 

Hence,  if  any  event  of  importance  transpires — ■ 
such,  for  instance,  as  a tornado,  earthquake,  or 
pestilence,  sweeping  away  the  habitations  of  men, 
and  depopulating  large  communities  in  a short 
space  of  time — they  will  tell  us  that  these  things 
are  brought  about  by  the  regular  operation  of 
the  laws  of  nature  acting  out,  with  efficiency,  the 
commission  given  to  them  at  first  by  the  Creator 
of  all  things,  who  impressed  these  laws  with  in- 
herent power  to  bring  about  such  events.  How 
strange  that  this  class  of  men  should  so  com- 
pletely overlook  the  fact,  that  law  without  an 
executive,  is  wholly  inactive ; that  it  must  be 
brought  to  bear,  as  a means  to  accomplish  any 
given  end,  by  a superior  power;  that  the  laws 
of  nature  are  simply  the  rules  by  which  the 
Divine  Being  acts,  and  that  his  general  plans  are 
but  himself  in  operation. 

A large  majority,  however,  of  those  who  have 


86 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


investigated  this  subject,  maintain  that  the  laws 
of  nature  can  have  no  efficiency  without  the  pre- 
sence and  agency  of  the  law-giver.  They,  there- 
fore, take  the  ground,  that  every  event  that  tran- 
spires in  the  natural  world,  is  the  result  of  the 
direct  and  immediate  agency  of  God;  and  that 
the  laws  of  nature  may  be  said  to  he,  upon  his 
part,  a unilbrm  mode  of  operation. 

They  agree  with  the  advocates  of  the  last- 
named  theory  in  supposing  the  laws  of  nature  to 
exteud  to  every  event,  and  to  he  in  accordance 
with  the  ordination  of  the  Deity,  but  they  differ 
in  maintaining  that  the  presence  and  direct  effi- 
ciency of  a law-giver  are  essential  to  the  opera- 
tion of  natural  laws. 

ISTow,  whether  the  last-named  theory  he  correct 
or  not,  the  reader  may  judge  after  he  has  inves- 
tigated this  subject  for  himself.  So  far  as  we  are 
concerned,  we  believe  it  to  he  true.  Tor  it  is  more 
in  accordance  with  the  language  of  inspiration  on 
this  subject,  and  is  at  variance  with  no  fact  or 
well-defined  principle  in  the  operations  of  nature. 
This  view  of  this  subject,  brings  the  Deity  before 
us  as  an  active  agent  in  the  affairs  of  this  world; 
represents  him  as  superintending  the  actions  and 
movements  of  men,  as  watching  their  interests, 
shielding  them  from  danger,  and  as  a sure  guide 
to  all  who  will  “ put  their  trust  under  the  shadow 
of  his  wings,”  and  submit,  in  all  things,  to  his 
government;  and  at  the  same  time,  enables  us 


ON  THE  LAWS  OP  NATUEE. 


87 


to  give  a reasonable  explanation  of  natural  events, 
which,  upon  any  other  principle,  would  be  entirely 
inexplicable. 

We  say,  that  this  view  of  the  subject  is  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  teachings  of  God’s  Word.  There 
are  texts  of  Scripture  that  can  be  explained  ac- 
cording to  no  other  theory  except  the  one  here 
advocated.  Take,  for  instance,  that  passage  in 
the  Book  of  Psalms,  “ Call  upon  me  in  the  day 
of  trouble  and  I will  deliver  thee.”  Or,  another, 
“ In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him  and  he  shall 
direct  thy  paths.”  Here,  the  Divine  Being  pro- 
mises immediate  deliverance  to  those  who  call 
upon  him  in  times  of  trouble,  by  acts  of  prayer 
and  humble  reliance  upon  his  power;  and,  also, 
promises  to  guide  the  good  man  individually,  if 
he  will  but  acknowledge  him  and  submit  to  his 
direction. 

Again,  it  is  said,  “ In  him  we  live,  and  move, 
and  have  our  being,”  And,  “ I form  light  and 
create  darkness ; I make  peace  and  create  evil ; I, 
the  Lord,  do  all  these  things.”  Here  we  see  that 
Deity,  not  only  controls  the  destiny  of  man,  but 
that  he  is  actively  engaged  in  those  things  which 
pertain  to  the  movements  of,  and  the  changes  in 
the  natural  world.  Many  other  passages  might 
be  quoted,  if  it  was  necessary,  “ but  these  are 
sufficient  to  show  that  the  sacred  writers  were 
fully  persuaded  that  no  event  in  the  natural  or 
spiritual  world  was  to  be  ascribed  to  chance,  or  to 


88 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


nature,  or  the  laws  of  nature,  as  it  is  among  men, 
but  to  the  direct  efficiency  of  God.” 

It  is  no  matter  of  surprise,  then,  that  men  of 
sound  judgment  and  penetrating  minds,  after  in- 
vestigating this  subject  with  care  and  attention, 
have  adopted  the  views  of  this  subject  maintained 
by  the  advocates  of  the  last-named  theory.  It 
makes  Deity  the  ever  active  agent  in  managing 
the  affairs  of  the  universe,  and  is  the  only  way 
that  we  can  account  for  many  things  that  occur 
among  men,  and  in  the  natural  world  around  us. 

But  say  the  advocates  of  this  theory,  who  con- 
tend that  all  the  movements  of  nature  are  con- 
trolled by  fixed  laws,  we  do  not  disbelieve  these 
passages  of  scripture,  hut  we  must  give  them  a 
more  reasonable  interpretation.  There  are  evi- 
dences, say  they,  that  Deity  does  act  upon  some 
general  plan  in  the  government  of  man,  as  well 
as  of  natural  things ; for  history  and  the  develop- 
ments of  science  establish  the  fact.  But,  they 
continue,  your  interpretation  makes  it  appear  that 
God  is  incessantly  watching  over  the  various 
events  that  occur,  however  small  they  may  he, 
and  that  he  is  always  exerting  his  power  and 
wisdom,  either  in  behalf  of  individuals  or  nations, 
or  in  controlling  the  affairs  of  the  universe,  and, 
that  as  his  plans  are  general,  these  passages  must 
he  so  explained,  that  they  will  correspond  with 
his  general  plans. 

Here  we  have  a sad  instance  of  bending  the 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATUEE. 


89 


Word  of  God,  to  suit  a human  theory.  How  much 
more  reasonable  is  that  theory,  which  makes 
“ God’s  general  plans  himself  in  operation,”  and 
his  adiuinistration  divine  intelligence,  will,  feel- 
ing, in  action ! 

Upon  this  principle,  we  can  understand  all  that 
is  necessary  for  us  to  know  of  the  government  of 
God  in  the  present  state  of  existence,  can  inter- 
pret the  scriptures  without  wresting  them  from 
their  legitimate  meaning,  and  are  no  longer  under 
the  necessity  of  advocating  a system  that  is  con- 
trary to  reason  and  common  sense. 

But  we  wish,  however,  to  examine  a little  more 
particularly,  and,  if  possible,  show  more  plainly 
the  absurdity  of  the  doctrine,  that  the  universe 
and  all  natural  events  are  governed  and  controlled 
by  the  laws  of  nature,  without  the  agency  of  that 
Being  who  created  and  sustains  all  things. 

It  seems  to  us,  if  the  young  reader  will  contem- 
plate this  subject  for  a short  time,  and  bring  to 
bear  upon  it  the  best  light  that  he  caii  obtain  to 
assist  him  in  the  investigation,  that  he  can  but 
see  that  such  a position,  as  that  just  stated,  is  at 
vai’iance  with  the  principles  of  sound  philosophy, 
as  well  as  with  the  teachings  of  the  sacred  writers, 
in  referring  to  these  matters, 

I Let  the  reader  turn  his  attention  for  a moment 
I to  the  vast  extent  of  the  universe,  let  him  con- 
sider  its  magnitude,  its  well-arranged  machinery, 
land  the  regularity  of  its  motions.  Let  him  re- 
I fleet  upon  the  size  of  the  earthly  ball  that  he 
8 


90 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUJSTG -JVIEN. 


iuliabits,  and  then  remeniher,  that,  according  to 
astronomical  calculation,  “ a million  of  earths  will 
scarcely  equal  the  hulk  of  the  sun ; that  all  the 
stars  are  suns;  and  that  millions  of  suns  consti- 
tute probably,  but  .a  minute  portion  of  that  ma- 
terial system  which  God  hath  distributed  through 
the  immensity  of  space.” 

Let  him  think  of  the  mighty  power  necessary 
to  uphold  this  immense  fabric  and  keep  it  in  mo- 
tion, the  velocity  with  which  some  portions  of 
this  machinery  is  impelled,  and  with  what  preci- 
sion each  orb  fills  its  mighty  rounds.  Let  him 
contemplate  the  regularity  of  the  earth’s  revolu- 
tions around  the  sun,  and  upon  its  own  axis,  the 
regular  succession  of  day  and  night,  seed  time  and 
harvest,  winter  and  summei’,  and  then  let  him 
ask,  are  all  these  movements  controlled,  and  events 
produced  by  the  agency  of  the  laws  of  nature  ? 

We  can  not  conceive  of  any  thing  short  of 
infinite  intelligence  and  power  that  can  produce 
such  stupendous  results.  To  conclude,  therefore, 
that  the  affairs  of  fhe  universe,  and  fhe  events 
that  transpire  in  the  world  are  produced  by  the 
regular  operation  of  the  laws  of  nature,  is  to  in- 
vest these  laws  with  the  attributes  of  Deity.  Xow 
we  readily  admit,  that  eveiy  event,  in  the  natural 
world,  is  brought  about  according  to  fixed  laws,  for 
we  believe  that  natural  laws,  as  akeady  suggested, 
are  nothing  more  nor  less  than  a uniform  mode 
of  operation  upon  the  part  of  the  Divine  Being; 
but  to  say  that  these  laws  uphold  and  guide  the 


ON  THE  LAWS  OF  NATUEE. 


91 


affairs  of  this  world,  independent  of  the  imme- 
: diate  agency  of  God,  is  to  endow  them  with  that 
wisdom,  power,  and  efficiency  that  belongs  exclu- 
sively to  the  Supreme  Ruler  of  the  universe. 

Taking  this  view  of  the  subject,  we  shall  he 
prepared  to  see  the  force  and  the  appropriateness 
of  the  tollowing  remarks,  viz. : “ What  is  a natu- 
ral law  without  the  presence  and  energizing 
power  of  the  lawgiver?  How  easily  are  men  be- 
I wildered  by  words ; and  none  has  led  more  astray 
i than  this  word  law.  We  talk  about  its  power  to 
[ produce  certain  effects;  but  who  can  point  out 
j any  inherent  power  of  this  sort  which  it  posses- 
ses? Who  can  show  how  a law  operates  but 
through  the  energizing  influence  of  the  lawgiver? 

: How  unphilosophical,  then,  to  separate  a law  of 
; nature  from  the  Deity,  and  to  imagine  him  to 
; have  withdrawn  from  his  works?  For  to  do  this 
would  he  to  annihilate  the  law.  He  must  be  pre- 
i sent  every  moment,  and  direct  every  movement 
of  the  universe,  just  as  really  as  the  mind  of  man 

(must  be  in  the  body  to  produce  its  movements. 
Take  away  God  from  the  universe,  or  let  him 
cease  to . act  mentally  upon  it,  and  every  move- 
_jnent  would  as  instantly  and  certainly  cease  as 

1 would  every  movement  of  the  human  frame,  Avere 
the  mind  to  be  withdrawn  or  cease  to  will.” — 
\Reli.  of  Geol.,  page  293. 

But,  says  the  objector,  to  admit  that  this  view 
^iof  the  subject  is  correct,  that  is,  to  admit  that  the 
‘ , Deity  exerts  any  influence,  directly  or  indirectly, 


92 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


in  the  production  of  the  various  events  that  tran- 
spire in  the  natural  world,  would  lead  to  the  be- 
lief that  the  circumstances  thrown  around  man 
in  many  instances,  both  in  an  individual  and 
national  capacity,  are  also  the  result  of  his  power 
and  immediate  agency. 

W e reply  that  the  passages  of  Scripture  already 
cited,  and  the  illustrations  already  given,  go  to 
establish  the  fact,  that  while  God  is  always  exert- 
ing his  power  in  upholding  the  universe,  and  con- 
trolling the  movements  of  the  sun,  moon,  and 
stars,  the  earth,  air,  and  waters,  he,  at  the  same 
time,  is  guiding  the  afiairs,  and  watching  the  in- 
terests of  man.  “Is’ow  spreading  the  impulses 
of  his  power  to  a wider,  now  restraining  them  to 
a narrower  extent;  now  working  in  judgment, 
then  in  mercy,  and  again  singularly  commingling 
both ; tempering  the  severity  of  vengeance  with 
compassion,  and  guarding  mercy  from  abuse  by 
the  majesty  of  righteousness;  assigning  longer  or 
shorter  periods  to  his  dispensations  of  vengeance 
or  goodness,  as  it  pleases  him;  and  thus  working 
onward  to  the  fulfillment  of  all  those  purposes 
which  he  has  fixed  in  his  own  eternal  councils  as 
the  final  results  of  his  government  of  human 
beings.” — ^Yat.  Ser.,  vol.  i,  page  137. 

This  view  of  the  subject  corresponds  with  the 
language  of  one  of  the  inspired  writers,  “ He 
putteth  down  one,  and  setteth  up  another.”  All 
going  to  show  that  our  conditon  in  life,  its  com- 
forts and  blessings,  depend  not  altogether  upon 


Oisr  THE  LAWS  OF  NATUEE. 


93 


our  exertions,  however  honest,  hut  upon  circum- 
stances that  are  under  the  control  of  an  All-wise 
Being.  Take  any  other  view  of  this  subject  that 
you  may,  or  adopt  any  other  theory  than  that 
which  we  here  advocate,  aiid  you  are  hound  to  be 
at  variance  with  the  teachings  of  the  Bible,  and 
with  the  settled  principles  of  sound  philosophy, 
which  are  admitted  by  all  who  have  investigated 
such  principles. 

That  the  young  reader  may  not  misunderstand 
us,  and  that  he  may  be  prepared  to  see  the  cor- 
rectness of  our  conclusions  on  this  subject,  we  will 
illustrate  as  follows.  It  is  said  by  some  learned 
men,  that  the  ebbing  and  flowing  of  the  tides  are 
governed,  to  some  extent,  by  the  changes  or  move- 
ments of  the  moon.  How  admitting  this  to  be 
true  (and  it  will  serve  as  an  illustration  of  other 
things,  whether  it  be  true  or  false),  we  ask,  does 
the  moon  exert  this  influence  upon  the  tides  in- 
dependently of  any  other  agency  or  poAver?  Ho, 
says  the  objector,  the  moon  is  controlled  in  its 
movements  and  influence  by  one  of  the  laws  of 
nature,  and  hence  the  result.  But,  Ave  ask,  who 
gives  poAver  and  efliciency  to  this  law  of  nature, 
that  it  is  so  wonderful  in  its  operations  ? 

Why,  says  the  objector  to  our  position,  this 
laAv,  in  its  operations,  depends  upon  a second,  that 
upon  a third  law,  and  so  we  might  go  on  until 
the  operation  of  the  one  hundredth  law,  in  this 
chain,  was  referred  to,  and  still  we  might  ask, 
what  gives  efficiency  to  this  second  or  one  hun- 


94 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


dredth  law?  And  the  correct  answer  would  be 
something  out  of  itself,  and  of  that  something,  ac- 
coi’ding  to  the  theory  of  the  objector,  we  know 
nothing. 

But  let  us  admit  that  the  same  hand  that 
brought  the  moon,  with  every  thing  else,  into 
being,  gives  it,  by  his  immediate  and  constant 
agency,  power  to  control  the  tides,  or  that  the 
laws  of  nature  are  the  rules  by  which  the  Divine 
Being  acts,  and  at  once  the  ditficulty  is  solved 
upon  reasonable,  as  well  as  upon  scriptural 
grounds. 

Tills  view  of  the  subject  brings  Deity  before 
our  minds  as  the  executive  of  the  laws  which  he 
has  enacted,  and  as  sustaining  and  governing  the 
world  by  his  own  mighty  power ; and  at  the  same 
time,  as  being  willing  to  guide  man  in  the  way 
of  holiness  and  happiness  if  he  will  but  submit 
to  bis  government.  So  that  each  individual  may 
say,  “ no  distance  extends  itself  between  me  and 
God ; no  creature  separates  me  from  him,  but  is 
the  very  instrument  by  which  he  comes  to  me. 
For  if  there  be  a chain  of  causes  and  effects,  he 
not  only  sustains  it,  but  hves  and  acts  along  its 
whole  line ; and  thus  may  we  ‘ foresee  him  always 
before  us,’  ‘all  in  all,’  and  all  in  eveiy  thing.  The 
ci’eature  derives  its  whole  force  from  God;  and 
we  and  all  that  concerns  us  are  ‘ in  his  hand.’  ” — 
Wat.  Ser.,  vol.  ^,  page  133. 

The  following  incident,  as  given  by  the  author 
just  quoted,  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  truth  of 


ON  THE  LAWS  OE  NATUEE. 


95 


what  has  just  been  said.  “During  the  late  strug- 
gle of  the  Greeks  to  regain  their  liberty,  a body 
of  Turks  were,  in  1824,  encamped  in  a part  of 
Greece,  and  committed  every  kind  of  excess  upon 
the  inhabitants/  One  of  these  barbarians,  an  offi- 
cer, had  pursued  a Greek  girl,  who  took  refuge  in 
the  house  of  a widow.  The  widow  met  him  at 
the  door,  and  mildly  attempted  to  dissuade  him 
from  forcing  his  way  in  to  seize  the  girl.  En- 
raged, he  drew  his  saber,  hut  when  in  the  act  of 
attempting  to  cut  down  the  widow,  it  snapped  in 
two  pieces  before  it  reached  the  victim.  The 
wretch  paused,  hut  drew  a pistol  to  accomplish  his 
purpose  in  that  manner,  but  it  missed  fire;  and 
when  in  the  act  of  drawing  a second,  he  was  for- 
cibly dragged  away  by  one  of  his  companions, 
who  exclaimed : “Let  her  alone ! Do  not  you  see 
that  her  time  is  not  yet  come?” 

But  we  have  gone  as  far  in  the  discussion  of 
this  subject,  as  the  limits  of  this  lecture  will  allow, 
and  we  leave  the  young  reader  to  judge  for  him- 
self of  what  has  been  said.  Our  object,  as  inti- 
mated at  the  outset,  was  not  to  investigate  this 
subject  upon  a large  scale,  or  to  bring  forward 
all  the  arguments  that  might  be  urged  in  favor 
of  any  position  we  have  taken ; but  it  was  to  sug- 
gest a few  ideas  that  might  lead  young  men  to 
investigate  it  for  themselves,  and  that  we  might 
induce  them  to  examine  the  writings  of  those 
authors  who  were  much  better  prepared  to  give 


96 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


them  instruction  in  regard  to  these  matters,  than 
we  are. 

Let  all  young  persons  remember  that  their 
actions  in  life  will  correspond  very  much  with 
their  sentiments,  let  them  he  what  they  may.  If 
you  are  wrong  in  theory,  you  are  almost  sure  to 
he  so  in  practice.  If  you  adopt  a theory  which 
teaches  that  the  affairs  of  this  world  are  governed 
by  fixed  laws,  and  thus,  in  your  minds,  exclude 
the  agency  of  the  Deity  from  the  various  events 
that  occur,  you  can  but  feel  that  God  is  at  a dis- 
tance from  you,  and  you  will  be  disposed  to  pay 
hut  little  attention  to  his  commands,  and  will  not 
he  inclined  to  come  to  him  for  support  in  the  try- 
ing events  of  life. 

While  on  the  other  hand,  “ it  can  not  hut  deeply 
impress  the  heart,  and  exert  a most  salutary  influ- 
ence upon  the  affections,  to  realize  that  every 
event  around  us  is  brought  about  by  the  imme- 
diate agency  of  the  supreme  Being.”  Viewing 
the  government  of  God  in  this  light,  we  shall 
look  to  him  as  the  author  of  “ every  good  and 
perfect  gift.”  And  we  shall  feel,  whether  in  pros- 
perity or  adversity,  in  the  higher  or  lower  walks 
of  life,  that  if  we  do  our  duty  toward  God,  our- 
selves, and  our  fellow-beings,  that  Ave  shall  be 
protected  and  guided  along  the  journey  of  life, 
and  he  admitted  at  last  AA'here  all  is  light  and 
eternal  joy. 


LECTURE  V. 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS, 

Uo  PACT  is  more  generally  admitted  by  the 
American  people,  than  that  children  are  under 
special  obligations  to  their  parents,  and  owe  them 
due  respect  and  obedience.  This  subject  is  so 
well  understood,  and  the  duties  referred  to  so 
universally  recognized  by  all  who,  by  proper  atten- 
tion to  it,  have  made  themselves  familiar  with  it, 
that  any  violation  of  the  principles  involved  in 
these  obligations,  is  looked  upon  as  being  not  only 
censurable,  in  no  small  degree,  but  contemptible. 

If  a youth,  at  the  present  period,  pursues  a 
course  directly  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  his  pa- 
rents, contrary  to  their  will  as  positively  expressed ; 
and  it  appears,  at  the  same  time,  that  his  parents 
are  not  unreasonable  in  their  demands,  and  it 
goes  ill  with  him  afterward  in  any  sense  of  the 
word ; if  he  fails  in  every  effort  to  succeed  well  in 
life,  and  to  distinguish  himself  in  the  world ; if  he 
is  unfortunate  in  every  turn,  and  finally  overcome 
by  peculiar  calamities;  he  will  be  sadly  disap- 
pointed if  he  expects  the  people  of  the  commu- 
nity in  which  he  lives  to  sympathize  with  him, 
or  pity  him  in  his  misfortunes. 

For  it  can  be  seen  at  a glance,  by  those  around 
him,  that  in  pursuing  such  a course  his  conduct 
9 (971 


98 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


is  the  result  of  a deliberate  determination  to  do 
wrong’.  They  Avill  readily  perceive  that  he  knew, 
and  might  have  done  better.  That  it  was  a wan- 
ton disregard  of  the  duties  that  he  owed  to  his 
parents,  and  a lack,  upon  his  part,  to  appreciate 
the  peculiar  relationship  existing  between  them 
and  himself. 

But  while  these  facts  are  admitted  by  all,  it 
may  be  said  that  the  young  men  of  this  country 
generally,  are  deviating  further  from  the  path  of 
duty  in  this,  than  in  any  other  respect  whatever. 
Young  men  at  the  present  day  from  twelve  to 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  (and  for  such  our  re- 
marks are  designed,)  seem  to  have  come  to  the 
conclusion  that  their  parents  are  “ old  fogy  ” in 
their  notions.  That  their  ideas  of  family  govern- 
ment and  domestic  economy;  their  views  of  the 
fashions  and  customs  of  the  day,  and  especially 
of  the  course  that  should  be  pursued  by  all  young 
persons,  is  decidedly  wrong. 

They  look  upon  their  parents  as  if  they  con- 
sidered them  as  being  behind  the  times.  Their 
st}de  of  speaking  and  acting,  out  of  date.  They 
seem  to  be  going  upon  the  principle,  that  parents, 
as  a general  thing,  are  incapable  of  judging  for, 
or  instructing  the  young  men  of  this  generation. 
Hence,  they  have  concluded,  that  although  it  was 
right,  in  former  days,  for  young  persons  to  obey 
their  parents  in  all  things  lavTul,  it  is  not  so  now; 
that  custom  has  brought  about  an  entii’e  revolu- 
tion in  these  matters.  And  that  custom  has  sriven 


ON  DUTY  TO  PARENTS. 


99 


them  the  liberty  to  pursue  a course  altogether 
different  from  that  pointed  out  by  their  parents. 

They  suppose,  at  an  early  age,  that  they  are 
thoroughly  posted  in  the  great  science  of  life,  that 
their  acquired  abilities  are  far  superior  to  those 
of  their  parents,  that  they  understand  the  philoso- 
phy of  human  nature,  political  and  domestic  econ- 
omy, are  capable  of  thinking  and  acting  for  them- 
selves, of  shaping  their  own  course  in  life,  and 
that  they  are  no  longer  under  the  necessity  of 
going  to  their  parents  for  instruction,  and  some 
of  them  seem  to  think  that  to  do  the  latter  would 
be  disgraceful ; would  be  stooping  to  something 
below  the  dignity  of  a polished  gentleman. 

Such  young  men  may  discover,  when  it  will 
be  too  late,  that  their  conclusions  were  wrong, 
and  that  they  have  been  leaning  too  much  to 
their  own  strength.  Many,  just  at  this  period  in 
their  history,  prepare  the  way  for  adversity  and 
sorrow  in  their  riper  years,  and  have  to  regret, 
in  after  life,  that  they  pursued  a course,  in  the 
days  of  their  youth,  which  varied  so  much  from 
the  wishes  of  their  parents. 

For  several  years  past,  we  have  noticed  the 
conduct  of  young  men  particularly;  and  we  are 
sorry  to  say,  that  there  is  a grooving  tendency 
among  them  to  disregard  the  laws  of  their  pa- 
rents, and  to  follow  their  own  inclinations.  And 
to  the  serious  observer,  nothing  can  be  more  evi- 
dent, than  that  a lack  of  judgment  and  experi- 
ence, upon  their  part,  will  result  in  ruin  to  their 


100 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUJTG  MEX. 


character,  fortune,  and  all  their  future  prospects. 
It  may  not  be  out  of  place,  then,  to  suggest  a 
few  thoughts  for  their  consideration,  that  may 
lead  them  to  proper  reflection  upon  this  subject, 
and  finally  to  prosperity,  usefulness,  and  happi- 
ness. 

We  notice  first,  the  reasons  that  should  induce 
us  to  he  governed  by  those  laws  which  set  forth 
our  duty  to  our  parents. 

It  is  a matter  of  great  importance  that  a young 
man  should  understand  these  laws,  and  the  rea- 
sons why  they  should  be  obeyed ; for  a great  deal 
more  depends  upon  conformity  thereto  than  we 
at  first  are  apt  to  suppose.  Your  character,  your 
standing  in  society,  as  well  as  the  position  that 
you  wish,  finally,  to  occupy  as  an  honorable,  high- 
minded,  and  useful  citizen,  all  depend  upon  your 
having  been  trained  while  young,  to  observe  and 
obey,  strictly,  the  laws  of  your  parents.  If  you 
learn  to  obey  while  young,  it  will  be  an  easy 
matter  to  do  so  in  your  riper  years.  And  if  you 
would  be  respected  and  honored  in  due  time,  as 
one  capable  of  controlling  and  judging,  in  matters 
of  importance,  to  others,  you  must  first  learn  to 
obey. 

See  that  youth  who  has  complied  with  the 
requisitions  of  this  law,  until  it  has  become  a 
pleasing  task ; who  delights  to  act  in  conformity 
to  the  wishes  of  his  parents;  who  has  submitted 
to  their  rules  and  regulations,  until  it  has  become 
to  him  a settled  habit,  a matter  of  principle; 


ON  DUTY  TO  PARENTS. 


101 


who,  like  the  renowned  Cyrus  of  old,  would  not 
take  those  steps  by  which  a mighty  kingdom 
might  have  been  secured,  without  first  consulting 
his  parents,  to  see  if  it  would  be  agreeable  to 
their  will  and  feelings.  How  easy  it  will  be  for 
him,  in  the  strength  of  manhood,  to  submit,  with 
patience  and  fortitude,  to  the  laws  of  his  country. 
And  how  natural  it  is  for  him  to  induce  all 
others  to  do  so,  whenever  he  has  the  opportu- 
nity! 

This  being  the  case,  he  will  do  to  rely  upon  as 
a gentleiuan,  as  a friend,  and  as  a good  citizen. 
His  character,  in  all  these  respects,  is  established. 
He  is  now  looked  upon  as  a law-abiding,  quiet, 
and  peaceable  man.  Though  he  has  been  reared 
in  the  humble  walks  of  life,  by  parents  who  were 
poor  and  comparatively  unknown ; though  his 
literaiy  attainments  are  limited,  and  surrounding 
circumstances  discouraging,  he  is  destined,  in 
view  of  the  course  that  he  has  pursued,  to 
i occupy  at  least  an  honorable  position  in  society. 

He  may  now  be  trusted,  not  only  as  a quiet 
citizen,  but  as  a statesman.  The  affairs  of  state 
may,  with  safety,  be  committed  to  his  care ; for 
it  is  evident  to  every  reflecting  man,  that  that 
individual  who  has  honored  his  parents  in  the 
days  of  his  youth,  and  is  still  willing  to  make 
any  sacrifice  that  will  promote  their  welfare,  will 
I do  all  in  his  power  to  advance  the  interests  of  his 
country. 

■ On  the  other  hand,  if  habits  of  disobedience 


102 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


have  been  indulged  in  by  young  men ; if  tbey 
bave  thrown  off  all  restraints  imposed  upon  them 
by  their  parents;  learned  to  gratify  their  own 
wishes  and  feelings  in  opposition  to  their  will,  as 
positively  expressed  ; disregarded  their  rights  and 
lawful  claims;  refused  to  obey,  as  a deliberate 
matter,  and  carried  it  out  in  their  actions  as  a 
matter  of  principle,  how  difficult  for  such  persons, 
in  future,  to  submit  to  the  laws  of  their  country, 
and  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  good  society ! 
It  will  he  so  difficult,  that  they  can  not  do  it  with 
ease  or  comfort  to  themselves ; so  difficult  is  it, 
in  fact,  that  we  shall  rarely,  if  ever,  see  a case  of 
the  kind. 

By  pursuing  such  a course,  they  become  so 
self-willed,  so  stubborn  in  their  dispositions,  that 
nothing  hut  physical  or  brute  force  can  induce 
them  to  submit  to  law  and  order;  and  such  obe- 
dience, to  say  the  least  of  it,  is  disgraceful.  And, 
in  addition  to  this,  as  the  history  of  such  young 
men  developes  their  true  character,  they  fall,  by 
degrees,  in  the  estimation  of  those  with  whom 
they  are  associated,  until  no  one  will  put  confi- 
dence in  them,  he  their  pretensions  what  they 
may. 

Said  a good  writer,  on  this  subject,  “ if  persons 
are  undutiful  to  their  parents,  they  seldom  prove 
good  to  any  other  relation.”  Again,  “no  one 
vull  expect  a return  of  kindness,  however  con- 
siderable, from  him  who  can  show  himself  un- 
mindful of  what  he  owes  his  parents.”  In  view 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS. 


103 


of  what  has  been  said,  we  ask,  can  we  trust  him 
as  a friend,  who  has  refused  to  comply  with  the 
wishes  of  the  best  friends  he  has  on  earth,  who 
have  always  been  ready  to  minister  to  his  wants, 
“who  have  averted  the  perils  of  infant  life,  and 
brought  out  a human  being  to  the  perfection  of 
his  reason,  and’  the  summit  of  his  strength  ?” 
Can  we  confide  in  him  as  a gentleman,  who  has 
refused  the  instruction  of  a father,  and  the  advice 
of  a mother,  who  loved  him  as  they  did  them- 
selves ? Can  we  have  any  respect  for  that  young 
man  who  has,  in  the  most  reckless  manner, 
trampled  upon  the  feelings  of  his  parents,  and 
turned  a deaf  ear  to  their  entreaties  ? Can  the 
interests  of  a community  or  nation  be  committed 
to  the  hands  of  one  who  has  proven  himself  to 
he  unworthy  of  their  confidence,  unworthy,  in  fact, 
of  the  confidence  and  patronage  of  all  men  of 
just  sentiments  and  feelings? 

hlever.  His  society  will  he  avoided.  To  asso- 
ciate with  him,  will  he  looked  upon  as  dangerous, 
and  will  really  be  so.  And  no  one  can  feel  safe 
while  his  interest  is,  in  any  way  connected  with 
his.  He  is  viewed  as  one  that  will  trample  upon 
the  rights  of  men,  and  upon  every  principle  of 
justice,  that  he  may  gratify  his  own  inclinations. 
Then,  if  you  would  be  respected  in  all  the  rela- 
tionships of  life,  and  as  one  that  may  be  trusted 
in  perilous  times;  if  you  would  occupy  a respect- 
able and  desirable  position  in  society,  you  must 
prove  yourself  to  be  worthy  of  such  honors  and 


104 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


favors  in  the  days  of  your  youth,  and  your  fel- 
low-beings will  always  he  ready  to  bestow  them 
upon  you. 

Another  reason  why  we  should  discharge  the 
obligations  that  we  owe  to  our  parents  is,  that 
obedience  to  their  laws  is  one  of  the  principal 
safeguards  against  the  ills  of  life. 

It  is  natural  for  us  to  endeavor  to  avoid  the 
evils  of  life,  and  to  escape  from  its  severe  calami- 
ties, and  equally  so  for  us  to  desire  its  comforts 
and  blessings.  And  that  it  is  right  for  a man  so 
to  conduct  himself  in  this  life  that  he  may  he 
happy,  and  enjoy  the  society  of  his  feUow-beiugs, 
no  one  will  pretend  to  deny.  "Well,  one  of  the 
priucipal  steps  to  be  taken  by  us,  if  we  would  be 
successful  in  these  matters,  is  obedience  to  our 
parents. 

It  is  said,  in  the  Hew  Testament  Scriptures,* 
“Children,  obey  your  parents  in  the  Lord:  For 
this  is  right.  Honor  thy  father  and  mother  (which 
is  the  first  commandment  with  promise),  that  it 
may  be  well  with  thee,  and  that  thou  mayest  live 
long  in  the  earth.” 

To  obey,  and  to  honor  our  parents,  then,  is  a 
positive  duty.  And  to  obey  them,  is  the  greatest 
honor  that  we  can  confer  upon  them.  It  will  be 
observed  too,  by  merely  reading  this  passage,  that 
the  condition  upon  which  we  live  long  and  do 
well  in  the  “ earth,”  is,  that  we  obey  and  honor 


* Eph.  chap,  vi,  v.  1-3. 


OK  DUTY  TO  PAREKTS. 


105 


our  parents.  It  sliould.  be  remembered  too,  that 
this  law  was  enacted  and  set  forth  by  a Being  of 
infinite  wisdom,  who  can  neither  deceive,  nor  be 
deceived.  A being,  who  sustains  and  governs  all 
things,  and  who  has  in  his  hands  the  destiny  of 
all  men.  And  if  it  is  obeyed  by  us,  we  are  sure 
to  realize  the  blessing  promised. 

“ Grod  is  not  a man  that  he  should  lie,”  but  is 
sure  to  fulfill  his  promises.  He  knoAvs  the  condi- 
tion of  man,  and  all  that  is  necessary  to  promote 
his  happiness.  And  if  we  adhere  strictly  to  the 
requisitions  of  this  law  in  the  days  of  our  youth, 
and  depart  not  from  its  principles  in  our  riper 
years,  we  may  confidently  expect  that  things  will 
be  so  ordered  and  controlled  in  our  behalf,  that  we 
shall  be  secure  in  our  possessions,  tranquil  amid 
storms  and  tempests,  prosperous  in  our  worldly 
pursuits,  and  may  enjoy  the  comforts  of  life,  the 
best  wishes  of  our  fellow-beings,  and  all  that  can 
make  life  agreeable  and  desirable. 

We  remark,  further  upon  this  point,  that  a 
violation  of  this  laAV  is  sure  to  be  followed  by  the 
infliction  of  a penalty  that  will  be  proportioned 
to  the  enormity  of  the  crime  committed.  And 
whoever  runs  the  risk  of  doing  so,  will  find,  by 
experience,  that  this  is  invariably  the  case.  When 
he  who  enacted  this  law  said,  it  shall  be  well 
I with  those  who  obey,  we  understand  him  to  say, 
indirectly,  it  will  go  ill  with  him  who  refuses 
' obedience.  And  in  view  of  the  regularity  of  his 
government  in  the  natural,  moral,  and  religious 


106 


LECTUEES  TO  YOTJjS'Q’  MEX. 


world  in  other  respects,  and  the  certainty  of  the 
infliction  of  punishment  upon  the  disobedient  in 
every  other  depaidment,  we  are  certainly  justifi- 
able in  coming  to  this  conclusion. 

It  may  he  said  that  there  are  exceptions  to  this 
general  rule,  as  in  all  similar  cases.  Such  may  be 
the  fact,  but  we  think  it  will  be  an  exceedingly 
difficult  matter  to  find  an  example  of  the  kind. 
As  to  the  nature  of  this  punishment,  and  the  time 
and  manner  in  which  it  will  be  inflicted,  we  need 
not  inquire  particularly,  for  there  are  various  ways 
in  which  an  Ail-wise  Being  can  punish  us  accord- 
ing to  our  crimes. 

To  see  more  clearly  the  truth  of  the  position 
here  assumed,  let  us  look  at  the  condition  of  those 
around  us,  whose  history,  in  this  respect,  is  fa- 
miliar to  our  minds.  And  we  shall  see  at  every 
step  in  this  investigation,  that  the  evidence  of  the 
truth  of  our  position  will  accumulate  and  become 
stronger  and  stronger,  until  its  influence  upon  our 
minds  mil  he  irresistible. 

Look,  for  instance,  at  that  individual,  who,  in 
his  boyhood,  and  up  to  mature  age,  stubbornly 
resisted  the  wiU  of  his  parents,  dehberately  re- 
fused to  listen  to  their  council  or  instructions, 
who  has  been  careless  about  their  welfare,  indif- 
ferent in  regard  to  then’  feelings,  and  now,  in 
their  declining  days,  acts  toward  them  as  though 
they  were  unworthy  of  his  attention.  "What,  we 
ask,  is  the  true  history  of  his  case  up  to  the 
present  time?  Has  he  not  been  unfortunate  in 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS. 


107 


business?  Has  be  not,  in  no  any  instances,  been 
sadly  disappointed?  Has  not  his  heart,  a thou- 
sand times,  been  filled  with  sorrow,  his  fairest 
prospects  blighted,  and  his  brightest  and  most 
cherished  hopes  blasted?  Does  he  not  stand  be- 
fore the  reader  to-day  as  a monument  of  the  dis- 
pleasure of  him  who  has  said,  “ Children,  obey 
your  parents  in  the  Lord,  for  this  is  right.” 

Of  such  persons  no  good  thing  can  be  expected. 
Their  approach  may  well  be  dreaded,  for  their 
steps  are  always  attended  with  evil,  and  their 
career  with  destruction  to  the  best  interests  of 
men.  In  their  youth,  they  learned  to  dissolve 
the  most  tender  ties  of  nature,  to  burst  through 
the  restraints  of  law ; and  they  now  come  forth 
prepared  to  trample  upon  the  rights  of  men, -and 
to  crush  their  fondest  expectations. 

The  history  of  Absalom,  son  of  David,  as  re- 
corded in  second  book  of  Samuel,  may  be  given 
as  a striking  example  of  what  has  just  been  said. 
Absalom  refused  the  instruction  of  his  father, 
trampled  upon  his  laws  as  such,  and  finally  re- 
belled and  set  up  against  him  as  king  of  Israel. 
He,  doubtless,  supposed  that  he  could  best  succeed 
in  life  by  pursuing  a course  of  this  kind.  But 
how  sadly  was  he  disappointed!  He  advanced 
but  a few  steps  in  his  career  of  disobedience  to 
his  father,  before  he  was  overtaken  by  the  just 
vengeance  of  him  who  had  said,  “ honor  thy 
father  and  mother,  that  thou  mayest  live  long  in 


108 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


the  earth,”  and  is  swept  away  from  among  men 
as  a punishment  for  his  disobedience. 

Here  we  see  the  sad  results  of  refusing  to 
listen  to  the  instructions  of  our  parents,  and  to 
be  governed  by  their  laws;  not  only  in  the  un- 
timely death  of  the  rebellious  son,  hut  in  the  ex- 
pressions of  sorrow  upon  the  part  of  the  father, 
when  he  exclaimed,  “ O,  my  son,  Absalom ! my 
son,  my  son,  Absalom ! would  God,  I had  died 
for  thee,  0 Absalom,  my  son,  my  son !” 

Another  reason  to  which  we  Avill  briefly  direct 
the  attention  of  the  young  reader  before  we  leave 
this  part  of  the  subject  is,  that  our  moral  well- 
being, our  present  and  future  happiness,  is  indi- 
rectly connected  with  obedience  to  our  parents. 

To  be  happy  in  this  world,  is  desired  by  all. 
This  is  a principle  implanted  in  our  nature  by  the 
author  of  our  existence.  Future  happiness  is 
equally  as  desirable  to  those  who  have  proper 
conceptions  of  a future  life.  Enough,  we  think, 
has  already  been  said,  to  satisfy  any  reasonable 
man,  that  happiness,  in  this  life  at  least,  depends 
greatly  upon  the  performance  of  the  duties  that 
we  OAve  to  our  parents. 

And  while  obedience  to  the  laws  of  our  pa- 
rents alone,  is  not  sufiicient  to  secure  to  us  an 
entrance  into  the  abodes  of  light  and  glory,  as 
that  is  secured  by  the  use  of  other  means,  things 
have  been  so  disposed  and  linked  together  by  our 
Creator,  in  his  wise  arrangements,  that  obedience 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS. 


109 


to  our  parents  exerts  a greater  or  less  influence 
upon  our  future  destiny.  Submission  to  Avhole- 
some  laws  in  our  youthful  days,  as  has  already 
been  intimated,  the  evil  tendency  of  our  natural 
feelings  having  been  subdued  by  the  power  of 
reason,  we  now  have  sufiicient  control  over  the 
mind  to  direct  it  successfully  to  an  investigation 
of  those  duties  and  wise  regulations,  the  proper 
observance  of  which,  will  secure  a home  among 
the  blest.  Taking  this  view  of  the  subject,  we 
can  readily  perceive  how  obedience  to  our  parents, 
has  a bearing  upon  our  future  happiness. 

If  what  we  have  said  in  this  lecture  be  true, 
and  our  conclusions  are  correct,  may  Ave  not  urge 
young  men  to  consider  their  importance  ? If  you 
have  ever  neglected  the  authors  of  your  being,  or 
given  them  unnecessary  pain,  never  rest  satisfied 
until  you  have  made  reparation  for  all  the  injury, 
in  this  respect,  that  you  have  ever  done  them; 
and  while  they  live,  show  them  that  kindness  that 
is  due  the  parent  from  the  child,  and  there  is 
positive  assurance  that  you  will  be  prosperous  and 
happy  through  life. 

We  notice,  in  the  next  place,  in  what  the  duty  to 
our  parents  consists,  and  how  it  is  to  be  performed. 

In  reference  to  obedience,  as  an  important  part 
of  this  duty,  we  have  already  spoken  at  length. 
As  much  so  at  least  as  our  purpose,  in  regard  to 
the  length  of  this  lecture,  will  permit. 

This  duty  includes  respect  for  our  parents.  And 
this  too,  not  only  while  we  are  young  and  imme- 


110  LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 

diately  under  their  control  as  children,  hut  as  long 
as  they  are  permitted  by  our  Creator  to  remain 
with  us  in  the  world.  Kow  we  do  not  include  in 
our  remarks  here,  parents,  who,  by  their  habits  of 
vice,  indecent  conduct,  general  disregard  of  all 
moral  restraints,  and  by  engaging  in  low  pursuits 
and  dishonorable  callings,  have  rendered  them- 
selves unworthy  of  decent  attention. 

But  taking  it  for  granted  that  the  reader  has 
not  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  reared  in  such  a 
nursery,  we  remark,  that  our  parents  should  be 
treated  by  us  with  due  respect,  whatever  may  be 
their  condition  in  life,  or  however  widely  we  may 
diifer  with  them  in  our  political  or  religious  opin- 
ions. We  should  respect  their  opinions,  wishes, 
and  feelings;  hear  with  their  infirmities  and  im- 
perfections, and  have  too  high  a regard  for  them 
to  speak  of  their  faults  to  others,  or  to  do  any 
thing  that  would  he  painful  or  disagreeable  to 
them,  or  render  them  the  least  uncomfortable  in 
their  declining  days. 

Says  Smith,  an  able  writer  on  this  subject, 
“Every  man  has  little  infii’mities  of  temper  and 
disposition  which  require  forgiveness;  peculiarities 
which  should  be  managed;  prejudices  which  should 
he  avoided;  innocent  habits  which  should  be  in- 
dulged ; fixed  opinions  which  should  he  treated 
with  respect;  particular  feelings  which  should  he 
consulted.  All  this  may  he  done  without  the 
slightest  violation  of  truth,  or  the  most  trifling 
infringement  of  religion;  these  are  the  sacrifices 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS. 


Ill 


wliich  repay  a man  in  the  decline  of  his  life,  for 
all  that  he  has  sacrificed  in  the  commencement 
of  years ; this  makes  a parent  delight  in  his  chil- 
dren, and  repose  on  them  when  his  mind  and  his 
body  are  perishing,  and  he  is  hastening  on  to  the 
end  of  all  things.” — 8er.,  page  69. 

Children  at  the  present  day,  however,  seem,  in 
many  instances,  to  overlook  the  fact,  that  they  are 
under  special  obligations  to  respect  their  parents. 
See  that  gentleman  that  lives  in  yonder  palace, 
with  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life 
around  him.  He,  with  his  family,  are  refined  in 
their  manners,  understand  the  rules  of  fashionable 
society,  and  are  getting  along  according  to  the 
finest  style  of  the  day.  His  parents  are  poor,  but 
honorable.  They  labored  hard  and  honestly  to 
educate,  and  to  give  him  a successful  start  in  life, 
and  hence  his  present  condition.  And  now  in 
the  decline  of  life,  they  come  to  spend  with  him 
a portion  of  their  time.  Expecting,  in  return  for 
their  kindness  to  him,  respect  and  attention,  hut 
discover,  to  their  astonishment,  that  as  they  are 
old-fashioned  and  a little  peculiar  in  their  habits 
that  he  is  ashamed  of  them.  That  he  treats  them 
disrespectfully,  and  would  he  glad,  from  his  con- 
duct toward  them,  to  he  clear  of  them  altogether. 

And  is  this  true  of  Americans?  Can  examples 
of  this  kind  he  found  among  the  enlightened  and 
refined  citizens  of  our  happy  country?  We  have 
witnessed  a few  instances  of  the  kind,  and  are 
satisfied  that  nothing  can  be  more  painful  to  pa- 


112 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


rents,  or  more  unjust  in  tlie  estimation  of  all  good 
men.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  young  men  of 
the  present  generation,  in  view  of  their  superior 
advantages  as  to  light  and  knowledge,  will  learn 
better  things. 

Again,  this  duty  includes  proper  care  and  atten- 
tion to  the  temporal  wants  of  our  parents. 

On  this  proposition  but  little  need  be  said,  for 
it  is  well  understood  and  readily  admitted  by  all. 
Any  man  in  the  pi’esent  improved  state  of  society, 
with  the  peculiar  influences  of  the  present  period 
acting  upon  his  mind,  that  would  refuse  to  min- 
ister to  the  wants  of  his  parents;  who  would  not 
upon  all  occasions,  do  all  that  his  circumstances 
would  permit  to  render  them  comfortable,  and 
thereby  smooth  their  path  “as  they  hasten  on  to 
the  end  of  all  things,”  deserves  the  reproach  of 
his  fellow-beings,  and  is  sure,  sooner  or  later,  to 
meet  with  the  rehuke  that  his  conduct  so  justly 
deserves. 

We  envy  not  the  position  of  that  man  who 
would  suffer  his  parents  to  perish  by  want,  while 
it  is  in  his  power  to  sustain  them;  or  who  would 
refuse  to  shield  them  from  danger,  or  protect  them 
from  the  insult  and  abuse  of  those  who  possess 
none  of  the  flner  feelings  and  sentiments. 

But  it  is  needless,  we  hope,  to  urge  this  point 
upon  the  minds  of  the  young  men  of  this  country, 
for  it  can  not  be  reasonably  expected  that  any  of 
them  will  be  so  void  of  natural  feelings  and  cor- 
rect views  upon  this  subject,  that  they  would  run 


ON  DUTY  TO  PARENTS. 


113 


tlie  risk,  in  an  age  like  this,  of  refusing  to  com- 
fort those  who  have  comforted  them,  and  guided 
their  feet  in  their  infancy  and  childhood,  aird 
watched  over  and  protected  them  until  they  were 
capable  of  protecting  themselves. 

Finally,  on  this  point,  this  duty  consists  in  hon- 
oring our  parents. 

On  this  point,  the  author  already  quoted  is  so 
clear  and  forcible  in  his  remarks,  that  we  prefer 
giving  our  readers  his  ideas  in  place  of  our  own. 
Says  he,  “This  commandment  to  honor  parents 
may,  in  fact,  be  rendered  subservient  to  every  vir- 
tue, and  may  be  obeyed  as  the  means  of  enforcing 
every  law  of  the  Grospel;  honor  your  father  and 
your  mother ; honor  them  with  your  lives,  by  your 
spotless  integrity,  by  keeping  yourself  void  of  of- 
fense toward  Grod  and  man.  If  revenge  prompts 
you  to  break  through  human  laws,  and  makes  jmu 
prodigal  of  life,  forgive  for  the  love  of  your  pa- 
rents; rouse  yourself,  that  the  praise  which  men 
bestow  upon  you,  may  warm  the  hearts  of  your 
parents.  Whenever  you  are  about  to  do  any 
thing  that  is  wrong,  remember  there  is  a father 
and  a mother  whose  hearts  you  will  tear  with  an- 
guish ; have  pity  upon  them,  and  bear  them  in 
mind  in  all  you  do;  if  you  are  dishonorable  they 
can  not  be  honored;  if  you  are  in  wretchedness, 
they  can  not  rejoice;  they  will  burn  with  your 
glory;  they  will  blush  with  your  shame;  they 
have  smiled  upon  your  cradle,  they  will  weep  o’er 
your  tomb.”  Ser.^  page  71. 


114 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ISTo  young  man  of  thought  and  proper  reflection, 
and  especially  of  observation,  will  for  a moment 
doubt  the  correctness  of  the  sentiments  here  set 
forth.  And  surely  if  he  believes  them  to  he  such 
as  should  be  practically  carried  out,  he  will  not 
hesitate  to  do  so.  It  should  ever  he  remembered 
that  in  the  performance  of  this  duty,  we  are 
obeying  one  of  the  positive  commands  of  the  Di- 
vine Being,  performing  an  act  of  religion  that 
shall  by  no  means  lose  its.  reward. 

Before  we  close  our  remarks  on  this  subject,  it 
may  not  he  improper  for  us  to  notice,  in  few  words, 
some  of  the  difficulties  in  the  Avay  of  those  whose 
duty  it  is  to  obey  and  honor  their  parents. 

In  the  performance  of  this,  as  well  as  in  the  per- 
formance of  all  other  duties,  we  shall  find  various 
obstacles  to  overcome.  One  obstacle  that  we  will 
mention,  as  deserving  special  attention,  is  a liabil- 
ity, upon  our  part,  to  forget  our  obligations  to  our 
parents.  This,  at  first,  may  seem  a little  unrea- 
sonable, as  it  may  be  supposed  that  there  can  he 
no  danger  on  this  score,  but  it  is  none  the  less 
true  notwithstanding.  We  are  prone  to  neglect 
our  duty  in  all  respects ; and  it  is  not  unreason- 
able to  suppose  that  we  will,  at  times,  lack 
promptness  in  the  performance  of  this. 

Our  attention  is  earnestly  directed  to  our  own 
interests  and  the  interests  of  our  own  families. 
Our  chief  delight  is  in  seeing  our  families  prosper- 
ing and  doing  well  in  the  world.  We  delight  to 
see  them  occupying  a position  that  is  honorable, 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS. 


115 


and  that  will  secure  to  them  the  respect  and  con- 
fidence of  the  better  classes  of  society;  and  it  is 
natural  for  us  to  exert  all  our  energies  of  body 
and  mind  to  place  them  in  that  condition. 

But  while  such  a course  is  truly  commendable, 
it  being  proper  and  right  that  we  should  do  so, 
how  apt  are  we  to  “forget  the  days  of  weakness, 
and  the  nursing  father  and  the  nursing  mother 
of  the  times  that  are  gone,”  and  leave  them  to 
suffer  for  the  common  conveniences  of  life,  and  to 
go  down  in  sorrow  to  their  graves! 

Another  ditficulty  that  we  will  mention,  as  being 
in  the  way  of  some  (and  we  are  glad  to  say  but 
few),  is,  that  they  do  not  realize  that  they  are 
under  special  obligations  to  their  parents. 

They  take  the  ground,  that  the  kindness  that 
parents  manifest  toward  their  children,  is  the  re- 
sult of  those  feelings  that  are  natural  to  parents 
whether  they  live  in  a heathen  or  a civilized  land. 
But  they  should  remember  that  to  “deny  the  ob- 
ligations which  they  owe  to  parents,  because  it  is 
common  in  all  parents  to  do  good  to  their  children, 
is  to  withhold  the  reward  which  principally  makes 
that  kindness  so  common.” 

A young  man,  at  the  present  period,  with  all 
the  influences  of  refined  society  operating  upon 
his  mind,  who  will  deny  that  he  is  iTiider  special 
obligations  to  respect  and  reverence  his  parents, 
and  to  provide  also  for  their  temporal  wants,  is 
unworthy  of  confidence,  and  should  he  shunned  by 
all  who  have  learned  and  practice  better  things. 


116 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


Other  obstacles  to  a right  performance  of  this 
duty  might  he  mentioned  here,  but  enough  has 
been  said  to  bring  this  part  of  the  subject  before 
the  reader’s  mind,  and  we  leave  it  with  him,  trust- 
ing that  he  will  reflect  seriously  upon  what  has 
been  said,  and  weigh  it  candidly ; and  that  he  will 
act  wisely  toward  his  parents,  toward  his  fellow- 
beings,  and  above  all,  toward  his  Creator. 

W e close  this  lecture  in  the  language  of  L.  M. 
Stretch,  on  “ The  Character  of  the  Good  Son.” 
Said  he — “ The  good  and  dutiful  son  is  one  who 
honors  his  parents  by  paying  them  the  utmost 
deference  and  respect,  by  a reverential  awe  and 
veneration  for  them,  a filial  affection  for  their  per- 
sons, and  a tender  regal’d  for  their  safety  and  pre- 
servation, a constant  and  cheerful  attention  to 
their  advice,  and  a ready  and  implicit  obedience 
to  their  commands.  As  he  becomes  every  day 
more  sensible  of  his  obligations  to  them,  he  grows 
every  day  more  willing  and  solicitous  to  repay 
them.  He  supplies  his  youth  to  support  their 
age ; his  abundance  to  relieve  their  wants ; his 
knowledge  and  strength  to  supply  their  infirmities 
and  decay.  He  is  more  careful  of  his  character 
and  reputation  in  the  world,  because  theirs  depend 
upon  it.  Ever  anxious  for  their  welfare,  and  at- 
tentive to  their  happiness,  he  endeavors,  by  every 
motive  in  his  power,  to  prolong  their  days,  that 
his  own  may  be  long  in  the  land.  He  rests  as- 
sured that  God  will  not  only  bless  obedient  chil- 
dren here,  but  will  reward  them  with  the  blessings 


ON  DUTY  TO  PAEENTS. 


117 


of  heaven,  where  it  shall  be  well  with  him  for  ever: 
where  we  all  shall  join — son  and  father,  daughter 
and  mother,  wife  and  husband,  servant  and  mas- 
ter, all  relations  and  connections  of  this  life,  to 
honor  one  great  Parent,  Protector,  Lord,  and  Mas- 
ter of  us  all.” — Beau.  His.,  page  28. 


LECTURE  YI. 


ON  PATRIOTISM 

But  few  writers  of  late  years,  who  have  at- 
tracted much  attention  by  their  ability,  have 
passed  this  subject  unnoticed;  and  there  is 
scarcely  any  speaker  of  much  distinction  hut 
what  has  directed  the  attention  of  his  hearers  to 
this  subject,  and  ui'ged  its  claims  upon  their 
minds  with  more  or  less  earnestness,  as  the  cir- 
cumstances in  their  case  seemed  to  demand.  The 
consequence  is,  we  can  hardly  find  an  indiwdual 
of  ordinary  capacity  and  information  in  our  coun- 
try, but  who  seems,  when  the  subject  of  pariotism 
is  mentioned,  to  have  at  least  a general  idea,  of 
what  is  meant. 

The  true  patriot  has  been  universally  admired, 
in  all  ages  of  the  world,  by  all  who  were  capable 
of  estimating  properly  the  conduct  of  the  man, 
who,  from  disinterested  motives,  has  done  all  that 
he  could  to  maintain  the  rights,  and  promote  and 
defend  the  honor  and  happiness  of  his  country. 
In  so  many  ways,  and  under  so  many  circum- 
stances, has  this  subject  been  brought  before  the 
people  of  this  country,  and  its  principles,  when 
contrasted  with  selfishness  and  narrow-minded- 
ness, are  so  lovely  and  sublime,  that  we  do  not 
(118) 


ON  PATKIOTISM. 


119 


•wonder  that  they  should  he  admired,  really  by 
many,  and  professedly  by  all. 

As  so  much  has  been  said  of  patriotism  by  our 
most  able  writers  and  speakers,  it  would  be  vain 
in  us  to  attempt  to  say  any  thing  in  regard  to  it 
that  would  be  novel  in  its  character,  and  we  shall 
make  no  such  attempt.  Our  aim  is,  not  to  go  into 
a full  illustration  of  the  principles  of  patriotism, 
or  to  prove  that  it  is  one  of  the  most  noble  pas- 
sions that  ever  warmed  and  animated  the  human 
breast,  for  this  would  he  a useless  undertaking,  as 
all  who  take  a comprehensive  view  of  things  are 
already  satisfied.  But  the  main  object  which  we 
have  in  view,  is  to  say  something  that  will  im- 
press the  minds  of  the  young  men  of  this  country 
with  the  necessity  of  imbibing  the  principles  of 
patriotism  in  their  youthful  days,  and  of  acting 
upon  these  principles  in  all  their  movements,  both 
in  respect  to  society  and  the  world  generally. 

It  is  a fact  that  should  not  he  overlooked  by 
the  American  people,  that  this  subject,  though 
universally  admitted  to  be  of  vast  importance,  is 
too  much  neglected  at  the  present  day.  While  it 
is  alluded  to  in  glowing  terms  by  this  speaker, 
and  pictured  in  fine  style  by  that  writer,  its  im- 
portance, at  least  in  a practical  point  of  view, 
seems  not  to  be  felt  by  the  generality  of  the 
people. 

But  a few  years  since,  the  necessity  of  pure 
patriotic  sentiments  and  feelings,  in  the  minds 
of  the  peoj)le,  seemed  to  be  realized  as  a general 


120 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


thing;  so  much  so,  that  parents  and  guardians,  as 
well  as  teachers,  both  public  and  private,  made 
it  a point  to  impress  these  sentiments  fully  upon 
the  minds  of  those  under  their  care.  And  the 
beneficial  results  of  their  noble  efibrts  may  be 
seen  throughout  our  land  and  nation  in  almost 
every  department  of  society.  And  we  might  well 
suppose,  that  a system  that  was  productive  of  so 
much  good,  and  so  many  happy  infiuences,  would 
never  he  entirely  neglected.  Yet,  strange  and 
xinreasonahle  as  it  may  appear,  hut  little  attention 
is  paid  to  the  means  of  keeping  alive  those  noble 
sentiments  and  feelings  that  are  so  well  calculated 
to  give  life  and  energy  to  the  public  and  private 
interests  of  our  country. 

It  may  he  said  that  this  is  an  age  of  improve- 
ment, and  it  may  he  admitted  as  being  true  in 
some  things,  but  it  is  not  true  in  all.  TUe  are 
disposed  to  doubt  that  this  is  an  age  of  improve- 
ment in  morals  and  in  those  noble  and  patriotic 
sentiments,  by  which  an  enlightened  and  highly- 
favored  people  should  he  governed.  Making 
money,  at  the  present  day,  seems,  with  most 
persons,  to  he  “ aU  the  go.”  If  parents  and 
guardians  can  learn  those  committed  to  their 
care,  to  he  “ sharp  in  ti’ading,”  to  secure  a for- 
tune, to  keep  up  with  the  fashions  and  customs 
of  the  day,  they  are  satisfied.  They  seem  not  to 
feel  the  importance  of  teaching  them,  in  their 
youthful  days,  to  cherish  those  sentiments  and 
feelings  which  would  lead  them,  in  future,  to 


OlSr  PATEIOTISM. 


121 


regard,  correctly,  the  rights  of  others,  and  to  have 
a proper  interest  for  the  welfare  of  their  country. 

The  American  people  should  ever  remember, 
and,  especially,  let  it  he  engraven  upon  the  minds 
of  the  young,  that  their  present  prosperity,  wealth 
and  influence;  that  their  position  in  point  of 
respectability  and  greatness,  when  compared  with 
other  nations,  are  all  the  results  of  the  patriotic 
efforts  made  by  our  fathers,  who  had  been  taught 
to  labor,  not  only  for  their  own  interest,  hut  for 
the  welfare  of  others.  And  they  should  hear  in 
mind,  also,  that  our  existence  as  a free,  independ- 
ent, and  prosperous  people,  the  perpetuity  of  our 
laws  and  institutions,  our  civil  and  religious 
privileges,  all  depend,  so  far  as  man’s  agency  is 
concerned,  upon  the  patriotism  of  those  who  hold 
the  destiny  of  this  nation  in  their  hands. 

There  is  an  idea  that  prevails  to  a considerable 
extent,  at  the  present  day,  in  the  minds  of  quite 
a number  of  gentlemen,  men,  too,  of  some  dis- 
tinction, on  account  of  their  sobriety  and  common 
! sense,  that  is  false  and  dangerous  in  its  tendency, 
I and  that  is,  that  since  the  days  of  Washington 
j and  his  compatriots,  who  signed  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  fought  the  battles  of  the  revolu- 
I tion,  framed  the  constitution  of  our  country, 
stood  np  and  manfully  contended  for  their  rights 
in  perilous  times,  and  thns  opened  the  way  for 
their  descendants  to  march  on  to  prosperity  and 
greatness,  that  the  true  spirit  of  patriotism  has 
died  av^ay  among  the  people ; and  that  now  it 
11 


122 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


is  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  find  a genuine 
patriot,  in  feeling  and  practice,  in  all  the  land. 

It  is  much  to  he  regretted,  that  the  afiairs  per- 
taining to  the  welfare  of  this  country  have  heen 
so  badly  managed,  that  such  an  idea  as  that  just 
named,  can  find  a place  in  the  minds  of  true- 
hearted American  citizens,  and  especially  in  the 
minds  of  the  young  men  of  this  country.  But 
however  false  this  idea  may  be,  and  it  is  certainly 
false,  it  is  very  difficult  to  induce  some  men  to 
believe  the  contrary.  Many  of  them,  too,  are 
men  of  sterling  worth,  and  might  be  of  great 
service  to  their  country,  if  this  erroneous  notion 
could  he  banished  from  their  minds. 

“ The  consequence  of  this  tone  of  feeling  is, 
that  whole  classes  of  men,  in  a greater  or  less 
degree,  seek  the  place  of  retreat.  Some  abandon 
the  caucus,  convention,  and  committee  room,  as 
no  place  for  them ; but  retain  the  poor  privileges 
of  expressing  themselves  implicitly  in  defense  of 
the  party  in  which  they  are  embodied,  and  the 
candidates  whom  they  find  imposed  upon  them 
by  the  managers  to  whom  they  have  given  the 
reins.”  The  pi'incipal  cause  of  this  error  is  a 
failure,  upon  the  part  of  those  who  have  adopted 
this  mistaken  view  of  this  subject,  to  distinguish 
the  genuine  patriot  from  the  hypocritical  pre- 
tender. 

In  every  large  community  there  is  a set  of 
men  to  he  found,  who  have  lost  fortune  and  fame 
in  the  various  whirlpools  of  pleasure.  They  are 


OlSr  PATRIOTISM. 


123 


bad  men  at  heart,  and  really  have  no  regard  for 
the  welfare  of  their  fellow-beings.  They  are 
willing,  in  view  of  poverty  and  present  distress, 
to  become  the  tool  of  any  political  party,  or  en- 
gage in  any  enterprise  whatever,  if  they  can 
thereby  assume  the  garb  of  patriotism,  deceive 
the  people,  and  secure  their  confidence ; while 
their  real  object  is  to  “ prey  upon  industry,”  tear 
down  the  decencies  of  society,  and  gratify  their 
own  covetous  desires  and  vitiated  appetites. 

Well,  after  honest-hearted,  straight-forward  men 
have  been  deceived  a few  times  by  these  hollow- 
hearted  wretches,  and  see  the  result  of  their  false 
pretenses,  they  suffer  themselves,  if  not  very  much 
on  their  guard,  to  become  disgusted  with  the 
name  of  patriotism,  politics,  institutions  for  the 
poor,  or  any  general  system  of  improvement, 
either  as  to  the  minds  or  morals  of  the  people. 
Hence  it  is  that  honest  men,  genuine  patriots, 
who  think,  plan,  invent,  and  act  for  the  public 
good,  by  day  and  by  night,  actuated  by  the  purest 
motives,  present  their  petitions  to  such  men,  in 
behalf  of  this  measure  or  that  institution,  in  vain. 
Their  petition  is  rejected,  not  from  the  fact  that 
their  cause  is  not  good,  but  because  those  upon 
whom  they  call  have  been  deceived  by  those,  who, 
heretofoi’e,  have  presented  themselves,  on  the  same 
errand,  under  false  colors. 

How,  we  would  say  to  such  persons,  while  you 
guard  against  imposition  upon  the  one  hand,  you 
should  not  be  so  cautious,  on  the  other,  as  not 


124 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


to  do  your  duty.  We  should  ever  be  willing  to 
sanction  and  support  measures  that  are  calculated 
to  do  good.  And  we  should  be  willing  to  join 
with  those  who  are  exerting  themselves,  to  the 
utmost  of  their  ability,  to  secure  and  maintain 
the  best  interests  of  our  country.  For  he  who 
would  refuse  to  give  his  influence  and  support  to 
any  measure  which  has  for  its  object  the  welfare 
of  society,  is  hut  little  better  than  those  who  bend 
every  thing  to  suit  their  own  convenience,  irres- 
pective of  the  rights  of  others. 

For  although  it  may  be  true  that  a majority  of 
the  citizens  of  this  country  do  not  feel  as  deeply 
concerned  in  her  welfare  as  they  should,  and  how- 
ever well  satisfled  we  may  be,  that  there  are  many 
who  would  sacriflce  her  interests  at  any  time  to 
gratify  their  own  selfish  purposes,  it  is  also  true 
that  there  are,  in  every  community,  men  who  are 
willing  to  sacrifice  their  individual  interests  and 
comforts,  and  risk  their  fortunes,  and  even  their 
lives,  in  the  service  of  their  country.  Propose  to 
them  any  plan  or  method  for  the  public  good, 
whether  it  relates  immediately  to  their  community 
or  nation,  and  you  will  always  find  them  in  readi- 
ness to  join  you.  They  have  hearts  to  feel,  and 
their  influence  and  means,  if  need  he,  are  imme- 
diately brought  to  hear  in  behalf  of  that  move- 
ment or  plan,  that  it  may  be  carried  forward 
successfully,  and  accomplish  the  desired  end. 

When  such  men  are  called  by  their  countrj'  to 
her  legislative  halls,  to  assist  in  arranging  the 


ON  PATRIOTISM. 


125 


aft’airs  of  goverament,  they  are  ready  to  obey  the 
summons.  If  our  country’s  rights  are  invaded  by 
a foreign  foe,  they  are  the  first  to  gird  on  the 
armor,  and  may  he  found  in  the  thickest  of  the 
battle,  exerting  themselves  with  a degree  of  skill 
and  ability,  that  would  have  been  creditable'  to 
the  most  renowned  generals  of  ancient  or  modern 
times.  These  things  being  true,  and  no  one  of 
observation  in  these  matters  can  doubt  the  truth 
of  them,  we  need  not  be  told  that  the  spirit  of 
patriotism  no  loug.:r  exists  in  our  country.  True 
patriots  may  be  found  throughout  our  land  and 
nation. 

It  is  highly  important  that  young  men  should 
have  a correct  idea  of  patriotism,  or  rather  of  the 
character  of  the  true  patriot.  To  be  mistaken 
here,  may,  in  many  instances,  lead  to  a wrong 
course  of  conduct  through  life. 

Patriotism,  as  defined  by  our  standard  authors, 
is  love  of  our  country,  or  devotion  to  the  welfare 
of  the  community  or  nation.  Most  writers  of 
distinction  upon  this  subject,  use  the  term  patri- 
otism, as  being  synonomous  with  love  of  our 
country. 

How  it  may  he  said,  in  one  sense,  that  all  men 
love  their  country,  who  possess  those  feelings 
which  are  natural  to  the  human  family.  “The 
most  friendless  of  human  beings  has  a country 
which  he  admires  and  extols,  and  which  he  would, 
in  some  circumstances,  prefer  to  all  others  under 
heaven.  Tempt  him  with  the  fairest  face  of  na- 


126 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


ture,  place  him  by  living  waters,  under  shadowy 
cedars  of  Lebanon,  open  to  his  view  all  the  gor- 
geous allurements  of  the  chmates  of  the  sun,  he 
will  love  the  rocks  and  deserts  of  his  childhood 
better  than  all  these.”  We  say  it  is  natural  for 
men  to  entertain  feelings  such  as  are  here  de- 
scribed, to  a greater  or  less  extent;  but  while 
patriotism  includes  this  natural  love  of  our  coun- 
try, a man  may  be  in  possession  of  it,  and  still 
come  far  short  of  being  a true  patriot. 

We  may  remark  further,  just  here,  that  patri- 
otism, as  is  often  set  forth  and  advocated  by  some, 
is  a low  and  selfish  principle,  a principle  wholly 
unworthy  of  that  enlightened  and  expansive  view 
of  that  subject  which  should  be  entertained  by  all 
who  wish  to  be  of  any  service  to  their  country. 
The  true  patriot,  while  he  feels,  in  common  with 
other  men,  a deep  interest  for  the  welfare  of  his 
own  family  and  immediate  neighborhood,  looks 
attentively,  also,  to  the  welfare  of  his  country. 

lie  is  so  much  interested  in  her  institutions  and 
immunities,  and  has  such  strong  desires  to  see  her 
in  a prosperous  and  healthy  condition  in  a politi- 
cal, intellectual,  social,  and  moral  point  of  view, 
that  he  can  not  allow  himself  to  he  idle  for  a mo- 
ment while  he  can  do  any  thing  calculated  to 
bring  about  this  state  of  things.  And  while  he 
labors  from  day  to  day,  and  from  year  to  year,  for 
the  accomplishment  of  these  ends,  drudgery  itself 
seems  almost  to  he  beautiful,  and  suftering  to  he 
a delightful  task,  while  he  feels  that  he  is  in  his 


ON  PATRIOTISM. 


127 


countrj'-’s  service.  Some  of  this  class  of  persons 
pursue  this  course,  until  they  feel,  at  last,  that  any 
wrong  done  to  their  country  is  a personal  wrong, 
and  on  the  other  hand,  every  wrong  committed 
by  their  country,  is  looked  upon  as  a sin  for  which 
they  are  personally  responsible. 

Such  men  are  always  foremost  in  inventing  and 
carrying  out  plans  for  an  improvement  in  the  dis- 
tribution of  justice,  in  the  political  constitution 
of  the  State,  in  extending  and  carrying  forward 
educational  interests,  and  in  doing  any  thing  that 
will  improve  the  moral  and  social  condition  of  the 
people.  Let  us  contemplate  the  character  of  the 
true  patriot  by  way  of  contrast,  that  we  may  ob- 
tain a more  forcible  idea  of  its  peculiarities.  A 
true  patriot  is  always  opposed,  in  feeling,  to  that 
which  is  low  and  selfish  in  its  character,  and  seeks 
no  advantage  of  others  in  any  capacity  whatever. 
His  motto  is  something  like  this:  “We  should 
perform  those  duties  which  may  affect  the  country 
at  large,  with  the  same  inflexible  justice  which  we 
would  exhibit  on  ordinary  occasions,  for  we  are 
as  accountable  to  our  Creator  in  every  public,  as 
we  are  in  every  private  transaction.” 

Compare  such  an  one  to  the  unfeeling  and  sel- 
fish demagogue,  to  whom  reference  has  already 
been  made,  and  see  how  they  differ  in  their  sen- 
« timents  and  feelings,  in  the  motives  by  which 
they  are  actuated,  and  in  their  entire  course  of 
conduct,  whether  public  or  private.  The  latter 
seems  hardly  ever  to  think  of  any  thing  save  his 


128 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


own  immediate  interest.  It  matters  not  what 
measure  he  may  adopt,  or  in  what  enterprise  he 
may  engage;  it  matters  not  how  loudly  he  may 
talk  of  his  devotion  to  the  institutions  of  his 
country,  or  how  much  he  may  be  praised  by  those 
who  have  been  deceived  by  his  pretensions ; the 
real  object  in  view,  in  every  movement  that  he 
makes,  is  to  gratify  his  own  desires,  and  secure 
his  own  welfare,  though  it  be  at  the  expense  of 
the  public  good. 

His  patriotism,  his  morality,  his  religion,  his 
philauthropy,  if  he  pi’etends  to  be  in  possession 
of  any  of  these  things,  is  nothing  more  nor  less 
than  downright  hypocrisy.  If  he  is  not  guilty  of 
crime  in  its  worst  form  against  individuals,  it  is 
from  the  fact  that  he  knows  the  loss  of  reputa- 
tion would  be  the  loss  of  his  own  interest.  He 
will  engage  in  any  thing  that  is  profitable,  how- 
ever base  it  may  be,  however  injurious  to  society 
and  to  the  best  interests  of  the  community,  if  he 
thinks  he  can  do  so  without  being  detected  in  his 
meanness. 

If  he  lived  in  worse  times,  when  the  stand- 
ard of  morals  was  still  lower,  “he  would  defraud 
his  neighbors,  he  would  forfeit  his  word,”  he 
would  even  go  so  far  as  to  pull  down  the  strong- 
holds of  virtue  and  morality,  lay  waste  the  fair- 
est prospects  of  his  country,  if  he  could  make 
such  a course  profitable  to  himself,  and  subser- 
vient to  his  purposes.  Many  such  men  are  to  be 
found  in  the  land;  and  we  have  drawn  this  pic- 


ON  PATKIOTISM. 


129 


ture  of  their  character,  that  young  men  may  he 
prepared  to  guard  against  their  influence.  For 
such  men  soon  contract  the  habit  of  speaking  in 
the  warmest  terms  of  compassion  of  those  with 
whom  they  are  associated,  and  are  well  calculated, 
by  their  assumed  good  manners  and  false  preten- 
sions, to  deceive  and  mislead  the  young  and  un- 
suspecting. 

If  a young  man  wishes  to  take  a high  and 
honorable  stand  in  society,  and  to  he  respected  as 
a patriotic,  enlightened  citizen  of  this  country,  let 
him  carefully  shun  the  company  of  the  despicable 
wretch  just  referred  to,  and  avoid  a similar  course 
of  conduct  as  he  would  the  most  deadly  poison. 
And  let  him  follow  the  example  of  that  man 
whose  heart,  life,  energies,  fortune,  and  all  are 
consecrated  to  the  service  of  his  country;  and 
who  is  willing  to  make  any  sacrifice  whatever, 
of  ease,  interest,  or  comfort,  if  he  can  feel  that  in 
so  doing,  he  is  benefiting  his  country.  Every 
young  man  should  study  the  principles  of  pa- 
triotism, until  they  become  perfectly  familiar  to 
his  mind,  and  should  learn  to  practice  those  prin- 
ciples in  the  days  of  his  youth.  - He  should  grow 
up  a lover  of  his  country,  her  laws  and  institu- 
tions, and  of  every  thing  that  gives  life  and  en- 
ergy to  her  movements. 

His  country  has  a right  to  expect  such  things 
at  his  hands.  Others  have  watched  and  guarded 
these  laws  and  institutions,  in  the  true  spirit  of 
genuine  patriotism,  that  have  given  him  position 


130 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


in  the  world,  intellectual  and  moral  standing  in 
society,  with  all  the  blessings  and  endearments  of 
civilized  life ; and  he,  in  turn,  should  feel  him- 
self under  the  strongest  obligations  to  uphold  and 
protect  those  laws;  that  others,  in  due  time,  may 
realize  their  influence,  and  the  heneflts  which  they 
confer. 

It  should  he  borne  in  mind  by  the  young  men 
of  this  country,  that  those  who  hold  the  reins  of 
government  and  guide  the  affairs  of  State,  and 
who  are  using  their  talents  and  influence  and  ex- 
erting all  their  energies  to  perpetuate  our  civil 
and  religious  privileges,  who  are  trying  to  build 
up  and  sustain  moral  and  educational  institutions, 
and,  in  a word,  endeavoring  to  make  every  thing 
subservient  to  the  welfare  of  our  country,  will 
soon  pass  away  to  the  silence  of  the  grave.  Their 
voices  will  he  silent  in  death,  and  no  more  he 
lifted  up  in  defense  of  our  country’s  rights.  Xo 
longer  will  they  plead  in  behalf  of  this  or  that 
noble  enterprise,  or  warn  the  people  of  impending 
danger,  but  in  all  these  respects,  the  young  men 
will  have  to  take  their  place. 

Oh ! how  important  that  they  should  consider 
their  responsibility,  and  be  well  prepared  to  act 
their  part  in  a manner  that  will  be  creditable  to 
themselves  and  to  their  country  ! 

In  a short  time,  those  who  are  now  young,  will 
he  called  to  All  the  various  offices  of  State;  some 
to  the  senate  chamber,  others  to  legislate.  This 
one  to  that  department  of  State,  that  one  to  an- 


ON  PATKIOTISM. 


131 


other.  And  of  all,  wisdom,  honesty,  and  integrity 
will  be  expected.  The  country  will  look  to  them 
for  protection,  for  her  interests  will  be  confided  to 
their  care.  And  her  institutions  will  be,  more  or 
less,  under  their  control.  If  they  are  properly 
managed  by  them,  they  will  prove  a blessing  to 
all  concerned.  But  if  there  is  a lack  of  firmness, 
moral  courage,  and  patriotic  sentiments  and  feel- 
ings, or  if  there  is  a want  of  skill  and  ability, 
the  country  in  the  same  proportion,  must  sufier. 
Her  proud  and  lofty  pillars  will  give  way.  Her 
domes  and  spires  will  fall  to  the  dust,  and  every 
feature  of  her  greatness  will  disappear.  And  the 
fond  hopes  now  entertained  by  the  American 
people,  will  be  buried  in  despair. 

At  the  thought  of  such  a state  of  things,  let 
the  young  men  of  this  happy  republic  arouse 
themselves,  “ and  put  on  their  strength.”  Be- 
member  that  you  are  now  a free  people,  that  you 
have  good  laws,  a pure  religion,  that  this  country 
has  nourished  great  men,  and  is  capable  of  noble 
deeds.  Never  let  her  greatness  diminish,  or  her 
glory  fade  away,  for  want  of  zeal  upon  your  part, 
while  engaged  in  her  service. 

From  some  indications  at  present,  it  may  not 
be  out  of  place  to  remark  here,  that  the  time 
may  not  be  very  distant  when  every  true  patriot 
will  be  called  upon  to  show  his  hand.  And  to  be 
widely  awake  to  schemes  devised,  and  plans  being 
laid,  by  those  who  are  not  as  friendly  to  the  insti- 
tutions of  our  country  as  they  should  be,  and  as 


132 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


they  would  he,  if  they  were  capable  of  appreciat- 
ing any  thing  noble  and  elevating  in  its  character. 
There  are  certain  movements  being  made,  and  in- 
fluences brought  to  bear,  that  are  agitating  the 
minds  of  the  people,  from  one  end  of  this  country 
to  the  other.  These  movements  and  influences 
must  he  checked  in  due  time,  or  they  will  aflect 
alike  the  political,  social,  and  moral  destiny  of 
this  entire  nation.  In  fact,  we  may  already,  to 
some  extent,  see  their  effects. 

Look  at  the  condition  of  our  country  in  a po- 
litical point  of  view.  See  how  much  excitement 
prevails  in  all  classes  of  society  from  the  highest 
to  the  lowest.  We  see  the  hiorth  and  the  South 
arrayed  against  each  other,  as  though  the  interest 
of  one  division  was  as  different  from  that  of  the 
other  as  day  is  from  night.  They  act  toward 
each  other  as  though  the  rights  of  each  had  been 
trampled  in  the  dust  by  the  other.  And  seem  to 
feel,  as  though  the  welfare  of  one  depends  en- 
tirely upon  the  downfall  of  the  other. 

In  the  Hoidh  and  South  we  see  political  parties 
arrayed  against  each  other,  and  manifesting  a 
bitterness,  a hatred,  and  an  uncompromising  op- 
position that  would  have  been  censured  in  worse 
times,  and  is  disgraceful  in  a cmlized  country. 
It  is  so  of  late  that  to  belong  to  one  party,  is  to 
he  a dishonest  man,  a traitor  to  his  country,  and 
unworthy  of  confidence  in  the  estimation  of  every 
other  party.  One  can  not  look  upon  the  move- 
ments of  the  other  with  any  degree  of  allowance. 


ON  PATRIOTISM. 


133 


For  they  are  all  in  the  T\^rong  direction,  injurions 
in  their  tendency,  and  calculated  to  ruin  the 
country. 

N’o  matter  how  honest  the  leaders  of  this  party 
may  be,  or  how  pure  the  motives  by  which  they 
are  actuated;  they  may  love  their  country  and 
entertain  strong  desires  for  her  prosperity,  and 
yet  another  party  professes  to  he  shocked  at  the 
evidences  of  corruption,  as  manifested  by  all  its 
members.  What  is  to  be  the  end  of  these  things 
we  pretend  not  to  divine;  but  leave  the  future 
to  make  the  development.  May  he  who  controls 
the  universe  overrule  the  evil  intentions  of  men, 
and  save  our  country  from  political  ruin. 

When  we  look  at  the  condition  of  our  country 
in  a social  point  of  view,  we  shall  see,  that  in  this 
respect,  we  have  occasion  to  be  on  our  guard. 
There  is  a class  of  men  among  us,  whose  sole 
object  seems  to  be,  to  mar  the  beauty,  and  destroy 
every  lovely  feature  of  refined  society,  and  would, 
if  possible,  destroy  the  basis  on  which  the  edi- 
fice of  social  life  is  placed.  They  seem  to  de- 
spise the  rules  and  regulations  of  good  society, 
and,  instead  of  doing  all  they  can  to  preserve 
social  order,  they  would  burst  asunder  all  social 
ties,  lay  waste  the  heritage  of  the  social  compact, 
would  bring  decency  and  refinement  on  a level 
with  debauchery  and  infamy;  and  thus  destroy 
the  only  safeguards  of  virtue  and  happiness. 
Should  not  every  true  patriot,  every  lover  of  his 
country  rise  up  in  the  majesty  of  his  strength  to 


134 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


oppose  and  destroy  the  influence  of  those  who 
would  dare  invade  the  precincts  of  refinement,  or 
prostrate  virtuous  innocency. 

"VVe  might  here  direct  the  attention  of  young 
men  at  some  length,  to  the  condition  of  our  coun- 
try in  a moral  point  of  view,  if  time  and  space 
would  permit.  It  is  only  necessary,  however,  for 
them  to  look  abroad  in  the  land,  to  perceive  that 
there  is  a growing  tendency  among  the  people 
everywhere,  to  indulge  in  all  the  common  vices 
of  the  day.  Such,  for  instance,  as  Sabbath-break- 
ing, swearing,  lying,  defrauding,  and  a host  of 
other  crimes,  if  possible,  worse  than  those  already 
named.  But  we  leave  the  reader  to  finish  the 
picture. 

How,  to  guard  successfully  against  all  the  evils 
we  have  just  named,  will  require  the  watchful 
courage  and  sound  judgment  of  every  true  pa- 
triot, whether  young  or  old,  throughout  this  en- 
tire country.  And  shall  not  the  young  men  pre- 
pare themselves  to  take  an  active  part  in  di-iving 
these  evils  from  the  land,  that  the  genius  of  our 
laws,  a wise  policy,  social  order,  and  a coi’rect 
standard  of  sound  morals,  may  he  sustained  among 
the  people?  They  surely  will  contribute  their 
mite  of  influence,  as  well  as  theii’  talents,  and  a 
portion  of  their  wealth,  if  they  possess  it,  when 
they  see  and  feel  its  impoi’tance  to  themselves  and 
others. 

But  they  should  remember,  that  to  engage  suc- 
cessfully in  the  service  of  theii’  country,  they 


0]Sr  PATEIOTISM. 


135 


must  not  be  too  hasty,  or  sanguine  of  success. 
For,  however  honest  may  he  their  intentions,  or 
just  the  cause  in  which  they  are  engaged,  their 
plans  will  not  always  succeed,  nor  will  they  have 
the  ability  and  skill  to  accomplish  as  ranch  as 
they  may  have  anticipated.  Some  young  men, 
after  they  become  a little  skillful  in  business 
transactions,  “and  acquire  some  degree  of  consid- 
eration in  the  little  circle  in  which  they  live,  and 
taste,  for  the  first  time,  the  sweets  of  distinction 
and  praise,”  conceive  the  idea  that  they  are  men 
of  considerable  importance  to  their  country;  and 
that  her  welfare  depends,  in  no  small  degree,  up- 
on the  eflbrts  which  they  are  to  make,  to  secure 
her  happiness  and  prosperity.  They  suppose  them- 
selves to  be  superior  to  all  others  as  to  intellectual 
endowments,  sound  judgment,  and  skill  in  the 
affairs  of  government;  and  that  they  have  all  the 
elements  and  qualifications  of  great  men.  Hence, 
they  fancy  to  themselves  that  the  multitude  will 
be  roused  to  immediate  action  by  the  powers  of 
their  eloquence;  that  the  wise  will  sanction  their 
movements,  and  at  once  imagine  themselves  to  be 
orators,  statesmen,  or  any  thing  that  their  coun- 
try needs  to  carry  forward  her  interests. 

Such  young  men  will  be  very  apt  to  meet  vfith 
disappointment.  They  will  soon  discover  that 
there  are  others  who  have  better  judgment,  more 
skill  and  ingenuity  to  plan  for  the  good  of  society, 
and  more  ability  to  execute  those  plans  than 
themselves.  They  will  find,  too,  that  after  they 


136 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


have  made  their  greatest  efforts,  that  there  are 
others  who  can  better  control  the  minds  and  feel- 
ings of  the  people. 

But  let  us  remember  also,  that  if  we  possess  but 
one  talent,  we  are  responsible  for  one  only;  and 
we  should  be  willing  to  use  it  to  the  best  advan- 
tage, though  we  do  but  little  compared  with  what 
is  done  by  others.  “It  is  natural  for  every  man 
to  wish  for  distinction;  and  the  praise  of  those 
who  can  confer  honor  by  their  praise,  in  spite  of 
all  false  philosophy,  is  sweet  to  every  human 
heart.  But,  as  eminence  can  he  the  lot  of  but 
few,  patience  of  obscurity  is  a duty  which  we  owe 
not  more  to  our  happiness  than  to  the  quiet  of 
the  world  at  large.  Give  freedom,  if  you  are 
young  and  ambitious,  to  that  spirit  which  throbs 
within  you  ; measure  yourself  with  your  equals ; 
and  learn  from  frequent  competition,  the  place 
which  nature  has  allotted  to  you;  make  of  it  no 
mean  battle,  but  strive  hard;  strengthen  your 
soul  to  the  search  of  truth,  and  follow  that  spec- 
ter of  excellence  which  beckons  you  on  beyond  the 
walls  of  the  wmidd  to  something  better  than  man 
has  yet  done.  It  may  be,  you  shall  hurst  out  into 
light  and  glory  at  the  last;  but  if  frequent  fail- 
ures convince  you  of  that  mediocrity  of  nature 
which  is  incompatible  with  great  actions,  submit 
wisely  and  cheerfully  to  yoiu’  lot.  Smith's  ser., 
page  96. 

Another  difficulty  with  which  fhe  young  man 
may  meet,  which  may  be  a considerable  draw- 


ON  PATRIOTISM. 


137 


back  upon  his  enei’gies,  is,  that  the  people  will 
not  always  properly  appreciate  his  motives,  nor 
correctly  estimate  his  real  worth. 

Many  a genuine  bill  has  been  refused  by  the 
banker  or  broker,  from  the  fact  that  there  were 
counterfeit  bills  in  circulation.  And  the  genuine 
patriot,  while  he  labors  to  the  best  of  his  ability 
in  behalf  of  his  country,  will  find  that  there  are 
some,  who,  from  the  misconduct  of  others,  will 
always  be  ready  to  suspect  his  motives,  oppose  his 
designs,  and  bring  him  into  disrepute  before  the 
public.  But  considerations  of  this  kind  should 
never  paralyze  the  energies  or  check  the  zeal  of 
the  genuine  patriot.  It  has  always  been  the  case, 
and  will  be  as  long  as  error  and  vice  are  to  be 
contended  with  in  the  world. 

Let  all  your  actions  demonstrate  the  honesty 
of  your  intentions.  Show  by  your  conduct  that 
you  have  the  good  of  your  country  at  heart,  and 
you  will  soon  be  able  to  rise  above  the  low  and 
vulgar  prejudices  of  those  who  are  always  blind 
to  their  own  interest,  and  will  be  able  to  show  to 
the  world  that  you  have  been  actuated,  in  every 
step  that  you  have  taken,  by  the  principles  of  true 
patriotism. 

We  should  ever  bear  in  mind  that  patriotism 
does  not  consist  alone  in  the  performance  of  noble 
deeds,  or  in  the  execution  of  wise  measures;  but 
that  much  may  be  done  in  the  cause  of  truth,  vir- 
tue, morality  and  religion  by  the  example  of  those 
who  feel  interested  in  these  matters.  Every  man 
12 


138 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


has  more  or  less  influence  over  the  minds  of  those 
mth  whom  he  is  associated.  And  we  are  just  as 
responsible  for  the  influence  of  our  example,  as 
we  are  for  any  other  talent  that  we  may  possess. 
AVe  are  under  obligations,  then,  to  guard  not  only 
against  evil,  hut  against  the  appearance  of  e^ul, 
if  Ave  would  be  successful  in  our  attempts  to  bene- 
fit the  community  in  which  we  live. 

“It  is  not  enough  to  ascertain  that  our  actions 
are  innocent  as  to  ourselves,  hut  they  must  be  in- 
nocent as  to  the  effect  they  produce  upon  others ; 
the  consequences  of  some  levity  or  omission  to 
you  may  be  unimportant;  but  they  are  not  unim- 
portant to  those  who  are  guilty  of  the  same  thing, 
because  you  are,  and  will  be  guilty  of  it  vuth  far 
other  talents,  other  habits,  and  other  dispositions 
than  yourself.” — Ibid. 

And  now,  in  conclusion,  we  would  say,  let  every 
young  man  be  up  and  doing.  There  is  something 
for  all  to  do.  Enough  to  engage  the  hearts  and 
hands  of  all  who  love  the  country  in  which  they 
have  lived  from  their  childhood,  and  the  laws  and 
institutions  that  have  guided  and  protected  them 
to  the  present  time.  The  age  in  which  we  live, 
the  relations  that  we  sustain  to  each  other  and  to 
mankind  demand  it  at  our  hands.  If  we  faith- 
fully discharge  the  duties  that  Ave  owe  to  our 
country,  much  good  may  be  done  by  us;  but  if 
we  fail  to  do  so,  our  OAvn  hearts  and  the  hearts 
of  others  may  he  filled  with  sorrow,  and  our  habi- 
tations with  mourninsr,  as  we  hasten  to  the  silence 


ON  PATEIOTISM. 


139 


of  the  grave.  Our  prayer  is,  that  the  young  men, 
in  this  land  of  schools,  churches  and  bibles,  may 
he  properly  instructed,  that  our  country  may  still 
flourish,  and  that  virtuous  and  noble  sentiments 
may  still  control  the  minds  of  the  people. 


LECTURE  VII. 


ON  INTEMPERANCB. 

"Ve  call  the  attention  of  young  men  to  the 
subject  of  intemperance,  not  because  of  its  nov- 
elty, not  because  we  suppose  them  to  be  ignorant 
of  a vice  that  is  so  common  in  almost  every 
community,  but  because  it  is  destructive  in  its 
tendency  to  the  best  interests  of  mankind.  It 
is  so  in  an  intellectual,  physical,  social,  moral, 
and  religious  point  of  view;  and  is  directly  cal- 
culated to  ruin  the  character,  fortune,  and  the 
temporal  and  spiritual  prospects  of  aU  who  in- 
dulge in  it. 

All  serious  observers  have  seen,  beard,  and 
read  enough  in  the  last  few  years,  to  satisfy  their 
minds  that  intemperance  is  doing  more  real  injury 
to  society,  in  this  country,  than  any  other  evil 
with  which  it  is  afflicted.  You  may  look  in  vain 
for  an  evil  that  is  more  general,  and  for  one  that 
more  certainly  destroys  the  happiness  of  man. 
Eveiywhere  you  go,  you  may  witness  its  sad  re- 
sults. Here  you  may  see,  in  ruins,  an  intellect 
that  once  entertained  lofty  conceptions  of  Deity 
and  his  works,  was  capable  of  contemplating  the 
beauty  and  sublimity  of  nature,  and  of  delighting 
in  that  which  is  moral  and  elevating  in  its  char- 
(140) 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


141 


acter.  There,  you  see  a human  being,  diseased, 
loathsome,  ruined,  who  was  once  admired  because 
of  his  beauty,  symmetry  of  form,  and  true  manli- 
ness. Look  again,  and  you  will  behold  debauch- 
ery, infamy,  and  wretchedness,  where  purity,  pros- 
perity, and  happiness  once  prevailed. 

And  what  is  most  to  be  regretted,  this  tide  of 
ruin  still  rolls  on,  with  unabated  fury,  to  the  pre- 
sent day,  while  efforts,  one  after  another,  have 
been  made  to  dry  up  the  fountain  from  which  it 
flows.  It  is  now  laying  waste  the  habitations  of 
men,  destroying  the  beauty  of  nature  in  its  loveli- 
ness, pulling  down  the  strongholds  of  virtue  and 
morality,  and,  if  not  checked  in  its  course,  will 
carry  thousands  to  eternal  destruction. 

There  are  young  men,  in  almost  every  commu- 
nity, who  have  studied  or  are  now  studying  the 
learned  professions,  practicing  with  skill  and  in- 
genuity some  mechanical  art,  studying  the  laws 
and  policy  of  the  country  with  an  eye  to  becom- 
ing statesmen,  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  or 
learning,  under  some  experienced  hand,  how  to 
till  the  soil  — that  noblest  of  all  pursuits  — who, 
from  the  fact  that  they  are  indulging  in  habits  of 
intemperance,  will,  in  less  than  ten  years  from 
this  time,  be  confirmed  drunkards.  They  will 
disgrace  their  profession,  ruin  their  trade,  fill  the 
hearts  of  their  parents  and  friends  "with  sorrow 
and  mourning,  and  then  make  their  way,  with 
rapid  steps,  down  to  the  drunkard’s  grave. 

It  is  enough  to  pain  the  heart  of  the  true  pa- 


142 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


tl’iot,  when  he  contemplates  the  condition  of  many 
of  the  young  men  of  this  country;  especially 
when  he  sees  that  they  are  well  educated,  have 
fine  natural  sense,  are  generous  and  noble-hearted, 
full  of  life  and  animation — when  he  sees  that  they 
are  capable  of  noble  deeds,  might,  if  they  would, 
stand  high  in  the  scale  of  intellectual  greatness, 
occupy  a prominent  position  among  the  most  cele- 
brated statesmen,  poets,  and  orators  of  the  day, 
and  then  reflects  that  they  are  yielding  to  the  in- 
fluence of  a vice  that  has  already  ruined  so  many, 
and  brought  them  to  an  untimely  death.  That 
instead  of  pursuing  the  course  they  should,  instead 
of  tiying  to  elevate  themselves  in  the  estimation 
of  all  good  men,  and  of  doing  something  for  their 
country  worthy  of  the  age  in  which  they  live,  they 
are  throwing  their  infliience  in  favor  of  that  mon- 
ster evil,  intemperance  — using  strong  drink  as  a 
beverage,  engaging  in  the  traffic  of  the  same,  and 
are  ready  to  sanction  any  movement  by  which  it 
may  be  placed  in  the  reach  of  all  who  may  have 
the  inclination  to  use  the  poisonous  stuftl 

Wliat  a pity  that  young  men,  surrounded  with 
circumstances  so  favorable,  enjoymg  the  confi- 
dence of  their  friends,  and  standing  high  in 
society,  should  ever  indulge  a habit  that  so 
universally  paralyzes  the  energies  of  the  most 
uncompromising ! That  so  certainly  undermines 
the  vital  powers  of  the  system,  degrades  man  in 
his  own  estimation,  and  in  the  estimation  of 
others,  destroys  fortune  and  fame,  and  all  the 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


143 


pleasures  of  this  life,  and  finally  carries  soul  and 
body  into  the  regions  of  interminable  woe  and 
misery ; for,  it  should  be  remembered,  that  the 
results  of  intemperance  cease  not  when  man’s 
present  existence  ceases,  hut  will  follow  him  to 
the  land  of  spirits.  Eor  it  is  said,  in  the  volume 
of  inspiration,  that  “ drunkards,”  as  well  as  other 
evil  doers,  “ shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake  that 
burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone.” 

It  afibrds  us  great  pleasure,  however,  when  we 
reflect,  that  the  people  of  this  country,  and  also 
of  Europe,  France,  and  Ireland,  as  well  as  in 
various  other  civilized  countries,  have  turned 
their  attention  to  the  evil  consequences  of  using 
intoxicating  liquors  as  a beverage ; and  that  they 
have  done  so  much  to  check  its  influence.  This 
subject  has  been  thoroughly  canvassed  by  many 
of  the  greatest  men  of  the  age.  The  evil  tend- 
encies of  intemperance,  after  having  been  closely 
investigated,  have  been  clearly  set  forth,  and  fully 
demonstrated. 

Philosophers,  moralists,  physicians,  and  thou- 
sands who  are  engaged  in  the  learned  professions, 
as  well  as  ministers  and  people,  have,  after  mature 
deliberation,  decided  that  intemperance,  in  its 
influence  and  tendency,  is  evil,  “ and  only  evil, 
and  that  continually.”  In  fact,  inebriates  them- 
selves, and  even  the  worst  class  of  men  that  you 
can  find,  will  acknowledge  the  correctness  of  the 
decision  just  mentioned.  And  there  are  hundreds 
and  thousands  of  the  young  men  of  this  country. 


144 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


wlio  most  heartily  sanction  the  truth  of  this 
decision. 

As  evidence  of  the  fact,  many  of  them  have 
taken  an  active  part  in  the  cause  of  temperance, 
and  have  manifested  a willingness  to  do  all  in 
their  power  to  drive  the  monster,  intemperance, 
from  the  land.  One  of  the  most  powerful  tem- 
perance lectures  that  we  remember  ever  having 
heard,  was  delivered  by  a young  man  not  more 
than  seventeen  or  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  was 
then  a student  of  law,  and  lived  in  an  inland 
town,  where  there  was  a great  deal  of  intemper- 
ance among  some  of  the  young  men ; and,  it 
seems,  that  he  became  disgusted  at  their  conduct, 
turned  his  attention  to  the  evil  effects  of  intem- 
perance, and  prepared  himself  to  fight  against 
those  evils  wherever,  and  whenever,  he  might 
meet  with  them.  He  has  since  graduated  and 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law,  has  already 
distinguished  himself  as  an  able  jurist,  and  is 
destined,  from  present  indications,  to  stand  high 
among  the  great  men  of  his  profession. 

In  view  of  what  has  been  said ; in  view  of  the 
opinions  of  the  oldest  and  best  men  in  our 
country,  as  well  as  in  view  of  your  own  observa- 
tions as  to  the  sad  eflects  of  intemperance,  we 
ask,  will  you  not,  as  a young  man  “just  starting 
in  the  world,”  just  embarking  on  the  tempestu- 
ous sea  of  time,  reflect  upon  the  evil  consequences 
of  this  ruinous  vice? 

Will  you  not  look  around  you  and  see  how 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


145 


many,  who  started  on  life’s  journey  with  prospects 
as  bright  as  yours  are  at  present,  with  buoyant 
hopes  of  the  future,  who,  by  indulging  in  habits 
of  intemperance,  have  lost  their  high  and  honor- 
able position  in  society,  have  lost  confidence  in 
themselves,  and  may  now  he  found  associating 
with  the  low  and  vulgar,  void  entirely  of  those 
refined  feelings  and  sentiments  by  which  they 
were  once  governed? 

If  you  value  life,  with  all  its  blessings ; if  you 
value  health,  prosperity  and  happiness;  and  if 
you  have  any  regard  for  the  feelings  of  your 
parents,  who  are  watching  your  steps  with  so 
much  interest;  for  the  feelings  of  your  friends, 
who  would  make  any  reasonable  sacrifice  that 
would  be  the  means  of  making  you  honorable; 
and,  above  all,  if  you  have  any  regard  for  that 
undying  principle  in  your  bosom,  that  will  soon 
he  in  another  state  of  existence,  resolve  never  to 
taste,  as  a beverage,  nor  to  handle,  as  a matter 
of  profit,  the  worst  of  all  poisons,  intoxicating 
liquors. 

For,  if  you  do,  you  will  be  without  excuse  for 
your  conduct.  You  will  have  no  one  to  blame 
but  yourself.  You  can  not  plead  ignorance  of 
the  effects  of  strong  drink  upon  the  mental  and 
physical  constitution.  The  facts,  on  this  subject, 
are  before  you,  written  out  in  characters  too  plain 
to  be  misunderstood  by  any  man  of  ordinary 
capacity.  Yo  young  man,  in  this  land  of  temper- 
ance societies,  this  land  of  temperance  lectures, 
13 


146 


LECTUKES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


will  ever  be  able  to  say,  tiiider  existing  cirenm- 
stances,  “ I am  an  intemperate  man,”  or,  “ I have 
lost  fortune,  character,  and  standing  in  society 
because  I ignorantly  indulged  in  habits  of  intem- 
perance.” For  we  have  but  to  look  around  us  if 
we  would  have  a clear  view  of  its  results.  The 
plea  of  ignorance,  on  this  subject,  would  be  a poor 
apology,  at  least  in  this  country,  in  the  middle  of 
the  nineteenth  century. 

Our  remarks,  thus  far,  have  been  general.  We 
wish  to  be  a little  more  explicit  on  some  points 
that  we  have,  to  some  extent,  already  touched.  As 
a matter  of  convenience,  we  will  arrange  what  we 
have  to  say,  under  two  or  three  plain  proposi- 
tions. 

We  notice,  in  the  first  place,  some  of  the  causes 
of  intemperance. 

As  a young  man  that  wishes  to  “be  temperate 
in  all  things,”  that  wishes  to  be  respectable  as  to 
moral  character,  and  useful  to  others,  it  is  im- 
portant that  you  should  be  familiar,  not  only 
with  the  results  of  using  strong  drink  as  a bever- 
age, but  with  those  things  which  lead  men  to 
become  intemperate. 

It  may  be  proper  here  to  inquire.  What  is  in- 
temperance? What  is  implied  by  the  term?  We 
answer,  that  the  best  definition  that  we  can  find, 
after  having  examined  several  authors,  is,  “ habit- 
ual indulgence  in  drinking  spiritous  liquors,  with 
or  without  intoxication  ;”  or,  which  is  substantially 
the  same  thing,  using  them  as  a beverage.  It  may 


ON  INTEMPERANCE.  147 

be  said,  then,  that  an  intemperate  man  is  one  who 
is  addicted  to  the  use  of  spiritous  liquors. 

Why,  then,  do  men  thus  indulge?  Why  do 
they  acquire  such  habits  ? Why  do  they  risk  so 
much  for  so  little  ? Ah ! for  no  good  at  all. 
What  can  induce  men  to  practice  the  habit  of 
using  intoxicating  liquors,  when  they  know  that 
such  a habit  is  fraught  with  so  much  evil  to 
themselves  and  others;  when  they  are  so  well 
aequainted  with  the  ravages  of  this  monster  evil  ? 
Various  caxTses  have  been  assigned  by  different 
writers  and  speakers,  all  of  which  deserve  your 
special  consideration,  from  the  fact,  that  in  guard- 
ing successfully  against  any  evil,  it  is  important 
that  we  should  well  understand  its  oiigin. 

One  of  the  principal  causes  of  intemperance, 
among  jmung  men,  is  a want  of  consideration. 
They  do  not  sufficiently  reflect  as  to  the  evils 
that  it  invariably  produces,  nor  as  to  its  flnal  con- 
sequences. For  surely  no  young  man  of  good 
common  sense,  after  candid  and  deliberate  con- 
sideration, and  a serious  contemplation  of  the  sad 
results  of  intemperate  habits,  as  witnessed  by  him 
almost  every  day,  would  deliberately  become  a 
slave  to  a vice  that  he  knows  must,  sooner  or 
later,  be  his  ruin.  At  least  we  And  it  difficult 
to  believe  such  a proposition. 

Now  it  will  be  remembered  that  the  above  re- 
mark does  not  apply  to  the  case  of  those  who  are 
confirmed  inebriates  from  settled  intemperate 
habits.  They  use  intoxicating  liquors  because 


148 


LECTUEES  TO  TOEEG  MEX. 


they  are  fond  of  the  taste,  because  they  have  an 
uncontrollable  appetite  for  them,  engendered  by 
their  constant  use.  Such  things  may  be  confi- 
dently looked  for  when  strong  drink  is  used  for 
any  length  of  time  as  a beverage.  Hence  our  re- 
marks, on  this  point,  may  he  applied  exclusively 
to  the  case  of  young  men  who  have  not  acquired 
such  tastes  and  appetites. 

How  natural  it  is  for  young  men  to  adopt,  with- 
out due  consideration,  the  views  and  opinions  of 
their  parents  on  this  subject;  and  how  many,  by 
doing  so,  have  found,  when  it  was  too  late,  that  the 
views  and  opinions  of  their  parents  were  the  most 
unfortunate  for  them  that  they  ever  entertained. 

A jmung  man  is  apt  to  argue  thus  in  regard  to 
this  matter : “ ISIy  father  is  a sensible,  clever  man, 
ready  to  advance  my  interest  and  welfare  in  every 
way  that  he  can ; he  is  willing,  at  all  times,  to 
sliield  me  from  those  influences  and  habits  that 
are  injurious  in  their  tendency,  and  is  ever  ready 
to  point  out  to  me  the  path  of  virtue  and  moral- 
ity. He  uses  spiritous  liquors  as  a beverage,  al- 
lows me  to  do  the  same,  and  says  it  is  not  wrong, 
unless  it  is  used  to  excess.  My  associates  and 
friends  advocate  and  practice  the  same  doctrine, 
and,  therefore,  I am  inclined  to  the  opinion  that 
if  I practice  the  same  things,  I have  not  neces- 
sarily committed  a very  great  moral  wrong.” 

But  we  would  ask  such  a young  man — Did  you 
ever  call  in  question  the  correctness  of  your 
father’s  notions  in  regard  to  this  matter?  Did 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


149 


you  ever  reflect  that  he,  like  other  men,  is  a fal- 
lible being,  liable  to  err  in  this,  as  well  as  in  rela- 
tion to  other  things  ? He  may  be  wrong.  He 
doubtless  is  wrong,  when  he  says  to  you  that  you 
may  use  intoxicating  liquors  as  a beverage,  with- 
out material  injury  to  yourself.  Although  we 
have  said  in  another  lecture,  and  believe  it  to  be 
right  for  children  to  obey  their  parents  in  all 
things  lawful,  yet,  we  say  listen  not  to  your  father 
if  he  says  that  to  use  strong  drink  as  a beverage 
is  not  evil  in  its  tendency.  Follow  not  his  exam- 
ple in  this  respect,  however  much  you  may  rev- 
erence him  as  a kind  parent,  if  he  from  time  to 
time  uses  as  a beverage  that  fearful  poison,  which 
is  so  destructive  to  the  happiness  of  man. 

If  your  father  and  all  your  friends  and  asso- 
ciates have  been  wrong  all  their  lives  on  this  sub- 
ject, and  have  practiced  the  vice  of  drinking 
ardent  spirits  to  an  extent  that  is  disgraceful,  it 
will  be  no  excuse  for  you,  if  you,  by  following 
their  example,  should  meet  with  the  same  fate. 
The  evidences  of  the  evils  of  intemperance  are 
held  out  to  your  view  in  various  ways,  and  call 
loudly  for  your  consideration.  Some  of  your 
most  intimate  friends  and  acquaintances  have 
fallen  victims  to  this  fell  monster  before  your 
eyes  ; and  now,  if  you  will  not  reflect,  if  you  will 
not  be  warned  by  such  examples,  but  blindly  fol- 
low the  course  which  they  pursued,  a course 
which  every  reflecting  man  must  condemn,  be  it 
so.  But  remember  that  in  so  doing,  you  are  liable 


150 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


to  realize  in  future  what  you  may  now  see  in  the 
distance,  and  may  avoid  by  proper  reflection. 

Again,  intemperance  often  originates  in  the 
want  of  moral  courage,  upon  the  part  of  young 
men,  to  resist  what  they  know  to  be  wrong. 

It  is  often  the  case,  that  they  are  satisfled,  after 
mature  deliberation,  that  the  use  of  strong  drink, 
as  a beverage,  is  injurious  to  the  physical  consti- 
tution, and  leads  to  vice  in  almost  every  shape 
and  form,  and  look  upon  intemperance,  and  espe- 
cially drunkenness,  with  feelings  of  disgust.  They 
have  often  resolved,  in  seeing  its  injurious  efi’ects 
here  and  there,  that  they  never  would  indulge  in 
the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  of  any  kind. 

But  they  have  grown  up  to  manhood,  left  their 
parents,  gone  out  into  society,  and  are  led,  finally, 
by  their  associates,  to  circles  in  which  the  use  of 
alcohol  as  a beverage  is  a common  thing.  And 
now  they  are  invited,  and  if  this  is  not  sutficient, 
they  are  urged  to  take  a social  glass.  They  feel 
that  to  do  so  is  wrong,  contrary  to  their  better 
informed  judgment;  but  they  wish  to  be  agree- 
able, have  n’t  the  moral  courage  to  run  the  risk 
of  being  singular  under  such  circumstances,  and, 
at  last,  to  accommodate  then'  friends,  the  intoxi- 
cating stuff  is  taken. 

How  many  just  here  begin  a career  of  intem- 
perance, dissipation  and  debauch  that  leads  to 
present  and  eternal  ruin ! 

Young  men,  let  us  urge  you  not  to  yield  to 
such  influences.  Set  your  face  like  a flint  against 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


151 


such  an  evil  practice.  Guard  well  against  the 
persuasions  of  those  who  are  indulging  in  a habit 
that  has  led  so  many  to  poverty  and  wretched- 
ness. Having  satisfied  yourself  that  it  is  wrong 
to  use  spiritous  liquors  as  a beverage,  never  yield 
to  the  solicitations  of  your  friends  to  drink. 
Break  off  from  their  association  altogether,  how- 
ever much  you  may  love  and  admire  them,  rather 
than  do  so.  And  in  your  declining  days,  with 
confirmed  habits  of  sobriety,  enjoying  the  com- 
forts and  blessings  of  life,  and  anticipating  the 
blessings  of  the  world  to  come,  you  will  look  back 
to  such  steps  as  being  among  the  best  acts  of 
your  life. 

We  might  here  refer  to  various  other  direct 
and  indirect  causes  of  intemperance,  such  as  the 
example  of  men  occupying  a position  that  gives 
them  great  influence  over  the  minds  of  the  young, 
the  laxity  of  the  civil  laws  in  regard  to  it,  and  the 
facilities  for  obtaining,  and  the  inducements  to  use 
intoxicating  liquors.  But  our  aim  has  been  to 
notice  the  causes  which  more  especially  aft'ect  the 
case  of  young  men. 

We  notice  in  the  next  place,  some  of  the  evils 
of  intemperance.  We  say  so?/ie  of  the  evils,  which 
follow  habits  of  intemperance,  from  the  fact,  that 
time  would  fail  us  were  we  to  undertake  to  no- 
tice all;  and  we  will  confine  our  attention  to  a 
few  simple  illustrations. 

One  among  the  greatest  evils  that  we  have 


152 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


noticed,  is  tlie  sad  cliange  whicli  it  often  produces 
in  the  family  circle. 

Fancy  to  yourself  a family,  where  peace,  order, 
and  harmony  prevails.  Where  there  is  conjugal, 
parental,  filial,  and  fraternal  love.  The  parents 
are  respectable,  intelligent,  and  influential  in  so- 
ciety; are  prospering  in  their  worldly  pursuits, 
and  hid  fair  to  occupy  a prominent  position  in 
the  community  in  which  they  live.  Their  chil- 
dren are  sprightly,  lovely  in  their  manners,  agree- 
able in  their  disposition,  inclined  to  follow  the 
footsteps  of  their  parents,  and  seem  to  delight  in 
obeying  and  honoring  them.  It  may  be  said, 

“ Here  love  his  golden  shafts  employ,  here  lights  , 
His  constant  lamp,  and  vaves  his  purple  vings, 
Keigns  here,  and  revels.” 

So  lovely  is  the  dwelling-place  of  such  a family, 
that  the  learned,  the  wise,  and  the  good  delight 
to  go  there  to  spend,  from  time  to  time,  a few 
pleasant  hours  in  that  circle  of  friendship  and 
love. 

But  now  look  at  this  family  a little  further 
along,  and  0,  what  a change!  That  monster,  in- 
temperance, has  been  there,  and  the  father  has 
fallen  a victim  to  his  ravages,  and  the  sons  are 
now  within  his  grasp,  and  destined  to  fare  the 
same  fate.  And  now,  where  once  might  be  seen 
plenty,  gayety,  cheerfulness,  and  happiness;  we 
see  wmnt  with  all  its  attendant  evils,  sadness,  sor- 
row and  misery. 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE, 


153 


That  home  once  so  lovely,  “ is  changed  into 
the  pandemonium  of  disease  and  cruelty,  hatred 
and  malice,  ignorance,  poverty,  disease,  and 
wretchedness.” 

But  the  evils  of  intemperance  are,  if  possible, 
more  clearly  illustrated  in  the  case  of  individuals, 
than  by  families  or  communities. 

And  here,  we  ask,  who  can  describe  the  evils 
of  indulging  in  the  use  of  ardent  spirits,  when 
once  such  a habit  is  confirmed  ? “ It  mars  the 

beauty  of  the  human  face  divine,”  diminishes  the 
brilliancy  of  the  eye,  checks  the  healthy  circula- 
tion of  the  blood,  and  the  active  play  of  the 
limbs,  unnerves  the  constitution,  and  disqualifies 
us  for  all  bodily  exercise,  where  health,  strength, 
and  a vigorous  constitution  are  called  for. 

More  than  this,  it  impairs  the  faculties  of  the 
mind.  It  weakens  the  powers  of  perception  and 
attention.  It  dethrones  judgment  and  subjects  it 
to  the  sway  of  the  passions.  It  destroys  the 
memory,  blunts  all  the  finer  feelings  and  sensibili- 
ties of  the  mind,  and  leaves  us  wholly  unprepared 
to  arrive  at  any  high  degree  of  intellectual  and 
moral  improvement.  How  many  cases  may  be 
found  in  every  community  that  will  correspond 
to  the  letter,  with  what  has  just  been  said. 

Men  of  all  professions  and  trades,  have  been 
ruined  by  their  intemperate  habits. 

Look  around  in  the  community  in  which  you 
live,  and  you  will  see  here  a physician  that  was 
once  well  skilled  in  the  management  of  diseases, 


154 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


but  is  now  so  addicted  to  the  use  of  intoxicating 
liquors,  that  no  one  can  feel  safe  in  risking  their 
life  iu  his  hands.  There  you  will  see  a judge,  a 
jurist,  a statesman,  and  worst  of  all,  if  we  may 
make  a distinction,  a minister  of  the  gospel,  all 
of  whom  were  once  eminent  in  their  respective 
professions  and  callings,  who  have  fallen  from 
their  high  position,  and  are  now  minghug  with 
the  veiy  ch-egs  of  society. 

A very  striking  instance  of  this  kind,  just  now 
presents  itself  to  our  mind. 

It  is  the  case  of  a young  minister  who  belonged 
to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Previous  to 
his  conversion  and  connection  with  the  church,  he 
had  contracted  habits  of  intemperance.  After- 
ward, however,  he  quit  the  habit  and  became  a 
sober  man,  was,  some  time  after  he  connected 
himself  with  the  church,  licensed  to  preach  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  joined  the  annual  conference, 
which  embi’aced  the  community  in  which  he  lived, 
and  traveled  therein  for  some  two  years.  At  the 
close  of  the  last  year,  he  went  to  conference, 
where  he  met  with  his  brethren,  not  one  of  whom 
suspected  that  he  was  guilty  of  any  moral  wrong. 

A few  days  passed  away,  and  this  young  minis- 
ter was  taken  ill.  A physician  was  called  in, 
and  soon  discovered,  as  he  thought,  that  he  was 
afflicted  with  a slight  attack  of  bilious  fever. 
After  attending  to  his  case  regularly  for  some 
two  or  three  days,  vdth  httle  success,  he  suspected 
that  there  was  something  wrong  in  his  case. 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


155 


He  came  to  the  writer,  and  wished  to  know  if 
we  knew  any  thing  of  the  habits  of  this  minister 
before  he  made  a profession  of  religion.  We 
gave  him  the  facts  as  above  stated.  He  replied, 
that  he  wished  one  or  two  of  this  minister’s 
intimate  friends  to  go  with  him  to  his  (the  minis- 
ter’s) room.  They  went,  and  under  the  pretense 
of  changing  his  bedclothes,  found  a bottle  pretty 
well  filled  with  spiritous  liquor.  The  mystery 
connected  with  his  disease  was  at  once  solved.  He 
then  confessed  that  he  had  been  drinking  to  ex- 
cess for  some  three  or  four  months  previous  to  the 
time  here  specified.  The  next  morning,  a recon- 
sideration of  his  character  was  called  for  before 
the  conference  and  he  was  immediately  expelled; 
having  disgraced  himself,  and  the  church  to  which 
he  belonged. 

How,  young  men,  look  at  this  case  for  yourself. 
See  how  dangerous  it  is  to  tamper  with  sti’ong 
drink,  especially  in  your  youthful  days.  That 
young  minister,  doubtless,  thought  that  he  could, 
and  would  conquer  his  appetite  for  intoxicating 
liquors,  which  he  had  acquired  in  his  youthful 
days,  and  labored  long  and  faithfully  to  do  so. 
But  oh,  what  a failure  he  made ! Like  thousands 
of  others  in  the  same  condition,  having  contracted 
similar  habits  and  appetites,  he  resolves  and  re- 
resolves not  to  yield  to  its  power,  but  all  to  no 
purpose.  He  is  conquered  by  it  at  last,  and  is 
ruined  by  its  influence. 

And  now,  we  ask,  where  did  the  history  of 


156 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


this  young  man  in  this  respect  begin?  "Wlien  he 
commenced  taking  a dram  occasionally.  But 
where  did  it  end?  In  the  disgrace  of  a minister 
of  Christ,  who  was  capable  (for  he  was  a man  of 
talents)  of  being  useful  to  the  church  and  to  the 
world,  and  might  have  lived  happy,  died  trium- 
phantly, and  lived  among  the  blessed  forever. 

We  give  another  instance  of  the  evils  of  intem- 
perance, selected  from  ancient  history.  It  is  the 
case  of  Alexander  the  Great. 

The  historian,  after  giving  an  account  of  Alex- 
ander’s killing  his  best  friend,  Chtus,  while  under 
the  influence  of  intoxicating  liquor,  during  a 
drunken  carousal,  and  of  his  feelings  in  regard  to 
the  rash  act  when  he  came  to  himself,  continues, 
by  saying,  “ when  this  same  prince  was  at  Bab}'- 
lon,  after  having  spent  a whole  night  in  carousing, 
a second  was  proposed  to  him.  He  went  accord- 
ingly, and  there  were  twenty  guests  at  table.  He 
drank  to  the  health  of  every  person  in  company, 
and  then  pledged  them  severally.  After  that,  call- 
ing for  Hercules’  cup,  which  held  an  incredible 
quantity,  it  was  fllled,  when  he  poured  it  all  down, 
drinking  to  a Macedonian  of  the  company,  Proteus, 
by  name;  and  afterward  pledged  him  again,  in 
the  same  furious  and  extravagant  bumper.  He 
had  no  sooner  sw^allowed  it,  than  he  feU  upon  the 
floor.” 

“Here,  then  (cries  Seneca,  describing  the  fatal 
effects  of  drunkeness),  this  hero,  unconquered  by 
all  the  toils  of  prodigious  marches,  exposed  to  the 


OlSr  INTEMPEEAlSrCE. 


157 


dangers  of  sieges  and  combats,  to  the  most  violent 
extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  here  he  lies,  subdued 
by  his  intemperance,  and  struck  to  the  earth  by 
the  fatal  cup  of  Hercules.”  In  this  condition  he 
was  seized  with  a fever,  which,  in  a few  days, 
terminated  in  death.  He  was  thirty-two  years 
and  eight  months  old,  of  which  he  had  reigned 
twelve.  “Ho  one,”  says  Plutarch  and  Arian, 
“suspected  then  that  Alexander  had  been  poi- 
soned; the  true  poison  which  brought  him  to  his 
end  was  wine,  which  has  killed  many  thousands 
besides  Alexander.” 

Still  another  instance;  “Dionysius  the  younger, 
king  of  Syracuse,  was  so  addicted  to  this  ener- 
vating folly,  that  he  would  sometimes  be  drunk 
for  a week  or  ten  days  together.  By  this  means 
he  ruined  his  constitution,  impaired  his  faculties, 
and  became  so  cruel,  ridiculous,  and  contempt- 
ible, that,  for  their  preservation  and  happiness,  his 
subjects  were  obliged  to  dethrone  him.” 

Said  Chief  Justice  Hale;  “After  twenty  years’ 
observation  and  experience,  if  all  the  murders,  and 
manslaughters,  and  burglaries,  and  robberies,  and 
riots,  and  tumults;  the  adulteries,  fornications, 
rapes,  and  other  great  enormities,  which  have  been 
committed  within  that  time,  were  divided  into  five 
parts,  four  of  them  would  be  found  to  have  been 
the  result  of  intemperance.” 

Young  reader,  if  what  has  been  said  on  this 
subject  be  true,  and  we  defy  any  one  to  establish 
the  contrary,  what  an  awful  evil  is  intemperance ! 


158 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


And  how  careful  should  you  he  in  regard  to  its 
influence!  ITever  allow  yourself  to  get  within 
reach  of  its  grasp ; for  fearful  heyond  description 
will  be  your  condition  if  you  should. 

Before  we  close  we  will  make  a few  general 
observations. 

Young  men  should  remember  that  their  influ- 
ence in  society  depends  greatly  upon  their  being 
strictly  temperate  in  their  habits.  Every  man 
should  feel  himself  under  obligations  to  heneflt 
his  fellow-beings  to  the  utmost  of  his  ability. 
It  is  a duty  enjoined  upon  all  men  by  their  Crea- 
tor; and  not  to  perform  that  duty,  is  to  render 
ourselves  culpable  in  his  sight.  And  just  in  the 
same  proportion  that  it  is  our  duty  to  “do  good 
unto  all  men,”  is  it  our  duty  to  avoid  the  evils  of 
intemperate  habits. 

Not  to  avoid  the  latter,  is  to  disqualify  our- 
selves, to  a greater  or  less  extent,  for  the  discharge 
of  the  former.  An  intemperate  man  is  doing 
harm  all  the  time.  K in  no  other  way,  he  is 
doing  immense  injuiy  by  his  example.  If  a fa- 
ther, he  is  injuring  his  own  family,  his  friends, 
his  associates,  and  in  fact,  the  whole  community 
in  which  he  lives.  If  a son,  intemperance  para- 
lyzes his  energies,  weakens  his  moral  sensibilities, 
and  takes  from  him  all  desire  to  do  good.  In- 
stead of  doing  all  he  can  to  build  up  the  waste 
places  of  society,  and  elevate  those  around  him  to 
a high  moral  position,  he  is  pursuing  a course  di- 
rectly the  contrary.  This  is  the  case,  more  or 


ON  INTEMPEEANCE. 


159 


less,  with  all  men  of  intemperate  habits,  let  their 
relationship  to  those  around  them  be  what  it  may. 

That  you  may  see  more  clearly  the  truth  of 
this  last  remark,  let  us  ask,  which  class  in  society 
is  doing  the  most  to  benefit  their  community,  by 
sustaining  her  laws  and  institutions,  the  temperate 
portion  of  the  inhabitants  or  the  intemperate? 
Can  any  one  of  ordinary  observation  be  at  a 
loss  to  answer  this  question  ? Surely  not.  Every 
individual  of  common  information  knows,  that  it 
is  the  temperate  portion  of  society  that  is  urging 
forward,  with  so  much  energy,  those  measures  so 
well  calculated  to  bless  mankind. 

Then,  if  you  would  be  useful  as  a young  man, 
you  must  be  temperate;  and  to  be  temperate,  you 
must  abstain  entirely  from  the  use  of  intoxicating 
liquors  as  a beverage.  By  so  doing,  your  mind 
will  be  kept  on  a proper  balance.  Its  faculties 
and  powers  will  always  he  in  full  and  active  play. 
And  you  will  he  prepared  to  act  in  the  service  of 
your  fellow-beings,  not  only  with  deliberation  and 
sound  judgment,  but  with  delight  to  yourself,  and 
all  who  realize  the  influence  of  your  noble  deeds. 

Remember,  also,  that  intemperance,  more  cer- 
tainly than  almost  any  thing  else,  determines  the 
state  of  men.  Scarcely  any  thing  is  more  diffi- 
cult than  to  reach  the  case  of  the  drunkard,  by 
those  influences  designed  to  redeem  man,  in  a 
religious  point  of  view,  and  guide  his  feet  into 
the  path  that  leads  to  life  eternal.  Intemperance 


160 


LECTURES  TO  TOUXG  MEX. 


seems  to  harden  the  heart  against  all  religions 
impressions,  while  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  get 
him  to  reflect  upon  his  condition  morally,  to  come 
to  the  mercy-seat  of  his  Creator,  and  ask  for  for- 
giveness and  salvation. 

The  Gospel,  so  far  as  he  is  concerned,  is  preached 
in  vain.  Although  he  may  occasionally  hear  it, 
it  makes  hut  little  impression  upon  his  mind.  His 
most  devoted  and  pious  friends  may  talk  to  him 
about  his  present  condition  and  future  destiny,  as 
an  intemperate  man;  and  he  will  tell  them  that 
his  course  is  wrong  and  leads  to  poverty  and  dis- 
tress. But  at  the  same  time,  he  has  no  resolution 
to  pursue  the  path  of  virtue  and  piety  to  which 
they  may  direct  him.  It  seems,  in  fact,  that  when 
a man  is  once  conflrmed  in  his  habits  of  intem- 
perance, that  he  will,  in  spite  of  all  your  persua- 
sions, persist  in  his  miserable  course  of  debauch- 
ery, until  he  reaches  the  last  stage  of  his  miserable 
existeuce.  And  oh!  how  fearful  must  be  the  end 
of  such  a man,  when  we  take  into  consideration 
that  drunkenness  is  classed  with  mortal  sins! 

It  is  said  by  an  inspired  Apostle,  “ The  works 
of  the  flesh  are  manifest,  which  are  these:  adul- 
tery, fornication,  uncleanness,  lasciviousness,  witch- 
craft, hatred,  variance,  emulations,  wrath,  strife, 
sedition,  heresies,  envyings,  murders,  drunkenness, 
revelings,  and  such  like,  of  the  which  I tell  you 
before,  as  I have  already  told  you  in  times  past, 
that  they  which  do  such  things  shall  not  inherit 


ON  INTEMPERANCE. 


161 


the  kingdom  of  God.”  Well  might  the  Apostle 
say,  in  another  place,  in  view  of  this  declaration, 
‘‘Be  not  drunk  with  wine  wherein  is  excess.” 

Young  man,  do  you  wish  to  be  useful  and 
happy  in  life?  Do  you  wish  to  be  intelligent, 
refined  in  your  manners,  pleasant  and  agreeable 
in  your  dispositions  ? Do  you  wish  others  to 
love,  respect,  and  admire  you  for  your  morality 
and  good  behavior  in  society  ? Above  all,  do  you 
desire,  when  the  scenes  of  this  world  are  wound 
to  a close,  to  live  in  a brighter,  purer  world  than 
this?  If  so,  be  temperate.  Touch  not,  taste 
not,  handle  not,  intoxicating  liquors ; for,  when- 
ever you  do,  you  are  in  imminent  danger.  Let 
no  infiuence,  however  potent,  no  temptation,  how- 
ever strong,  lead  you,  under  any  circumstance 
whatever,  to  use  spiritous  liquors  as  a beverage. 
Prevent  all  others  from  doing  so  whenever  it  is 
in  your  power.  And,  by  your  example,  lead  all 
with  whom  you  associate  into  the  path  of  virtue, 
morality  and  religion. 

You  should  always  feel  a deep  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  your  country,  and  be  willing  to  rescue 
your  fellow-beings  from  the  path  that  leads  to 
wretchedness  and  misery.  And  there  is  no  path 
that  leads  more  directly  to  this  condition  than 
that  of  intemperance. 

If,  then,  any  of  your  associates  are  in  the  habit 
of  indulging  in  the  use  of  strong  drink  as  a 
beverage,  rest  not  until  you  succeed  in  infiuencing 
them  to  abandon  the  habit.  Bemember  that  their 
14 


162 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


position,  in  a short  time,  may  be  qnite  different 
from  what  it  is  at  present.  They  may  be  heads 
of  families,  and  those  under  their  care  will  be 
following  their  example.  They  may  be  associated 
with  those  who  are  enacting  laws  that  will  effect 
your  interests  and  the  interests  of  your  family. 
O how  important  that  they  should  be  sober,  re- 
flecting, and  deliberate  men ! Think  of  these 
things  while  young.  Think  how  much  you  can 
accomplish,  if  you  but  start  and  continue  in  the 
right  direction. 


LECTUEE  VIII. 


THE  FORMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER, 

Among  the  learned,  and  those  who  have  studied 
more  closely  the  philosophy  of  human  nature, 
and  especially  the  philosophy  of  the  human  mind, 
there  are  a great  many  different  opinions  as  to 
the  origin  of  the  various  traits  of  character 
manifested  by  different  individuals.  Men  differ  as 
widely  from  each  other  in  their  moral  character, 
as  they  do  in  their  opinions  or  natural  appear- 
ance. In  regard  to  this  fact,  there  is  but  little 
controversy;  for  it  is  evident,  that  among  those 
who  have  a good  or  a bad  moral  character,  a vast 
difference  may  he  perceived  by  the  most  careless 
observer. 

But  as  to  the  means  or  influences  which  pro- 
duce this  diversity  of  character,  there  is  some 
disagreement  among  those  who  have  paid  atten- 
tion to  this  subject.  The  point  under  considera- 
tion just  here,  is  embraced  in  the  following 
question : Why  are  men  so  unlike  each  other  as 
to  their  moral  character  ? It  does  not  originate 
in  the  climate  of  their  country,  the  form  of 
government  under  which  they  live,  or  the  fashions 
and  customs  of  society  with  which  they  are  sur- 
rounded, (although  these  things  may  have  much 
to  do  in  shaping  man’s  character  in  a national 

(163) 


164 


LECTUEES  TO  TOUXO  MEN. 


point  of  view,)  for  in  these  respects  all  may  he 
alike  situated,  and  yet  this  difierence  may  be 
clearly  seen. 

Some,  in  investigating  the  elements  of  a good 
character,  have  attributed  this  difference  to  early 
education  and  training.  They  maintain  that  all 
young  men,  who  are  in  possession  of  a good 
moral  character,  have  been  controlled  by  the 
example,  influence  and  training  of  parents  and 
teachers,  who  have  had  a high  appreciation  of 
that  which  is  admirable  and  honorable  among 
men ; and  that  those  who  have  a bad  moral  char- 
acter, have  been  brought  up  by,  and  among  those 
who  had  no  regard  for  reflnement  of  morals  or 
manners,  and  were  base  and  dishonorable  in  their 
entire  course  of  conduct. 

Others  maintain  that  nature  molds  and  fash- 
ions the  character  of  every  individual.  Hence 
they  contend,  that  if  this  young  man  has  an  un- 
blemished character,  it  is  evidence  of  the  fact 
that  nature  has  endowed  him  with  superior  intel- 
lectual faculties,  which  are  untrammeled  by  a frail 
constitution,  to  prevent  their  full  development; 
and  that  he  ought,  therefore,  in  view  of  his 
opportunities,  to  occupy  higher  ground  in  regard 
to  moral  conduct.  And  that  if  the  other  young 
man  leads  a dishonorable  life,  it  is  owing  to  the 
weakness  of  his  intellectual  faculties,  and  a want 
of  physical  health  and  strength  to  develop  those 
faculties,  and  thus  enable  him  to  rise  higher  in  the 
scale  of  moral  purity  and  goodness. 


FORMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  165 

The  young  reader  will  allow  the  remark  here, 
that  some  parents  are  so  fully  persuaded  of  the 
correctness  of  this  last-named  position,  that  they 
make  but  little  or  no  etfort  to  “ train  up  their 
children  in  the  way  they  should  go,”  and  leave 
them  altogether  to  nature  or  to  chance,  so  far  as 
their  moral  character  is  concerned.  But  they  are 
responsible  for  their  lack  of  wusdom  and  discern- 
ment in  this  matter. 

Proper  training,  and  natural  endo'wments  may, 
and  doubtless  do,  have  considerable  influence  in 
shaping  the  character  of  the  man ; and  it  would 
be  well  for  all  young  men  to  remember  the  moral 
lessons  which  they  have  so  recently  learned  from 
their  parents.  And  they  should  also  remember 
that  whatever  else  they  may  receive  from  their 
parents,  they  do  not  inherit  from  them  their 
good  character.  H^or  does  nature,  Avith  all  her 
rich  and  varied  gifts,  bestow  this  upon  any  indi- 
vidual. Your  parents  may  be  truly  pious,  and 
strictly  moral,  and  their  character  may  he  with- 
out a blemish,  and  you  may  pursue  a course  that 
will  be  disgraceful  to  yourself  and  dishonorable 
to  them.  You  may  he  richly  endowed  Avith  some 
of  nature’s  best  gifts,  a noble  intellect,  keen  per- 
ceptive powers,  a vivid  imagination,  and  judg- 
ment sutficient  to  enable  you  to  decide  correctly 
as  to  the  morality  or  immorality  of  any  particular 
course  of  conduct ; and  yet  these  noble  faculties 
may  be  so  neglected  or  abused  by  you,  that  you 
may  be  without  character  or  standing  in  society. 


166 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEJf. 


Bring  up  before  your  mind  two  individuals 
whose  opportunities  in  all  these  respects,  have 
been  the  same.  Two  brothers,  for  example.  They 
were  trained  and  educated  alike.  The  example 
set  before  both  was  the  same,  and  the  same  views 
and  sentiments  were  instilled  into  their  youthful 
minds.  As  to  their  intellectual  capacities,  there 
was  no  discoverable  diiference.  The  character  of 
both,  while  under  the  control  of  their  parents, 
was  untarnished,  so  far  as  relates  to  any  violation 
of  the  rules  of  good  society.  But  now  they  have 
left  their  parents,  and  stand  alone  in  the  world. 
And  is  there  still  no  dilference  as  it  regards  their 
moral  character?  So  great  is  the  difference  in 
this  respect  now,  that  there  is  scarcely  any  com- 
parison between  them. 

One  has  pursued  a moral  and  upright  course 
among  men  in  every  particular,  and  has  refused 
to  stoop  to  any  thing  that  was  low  or  disreputa- 
ble. And  the  result  is,  as  might  be  expected,  all 
regard  him  as  a man  sound  in  morals,  and  as  well 
deserving  the  honors  which  are  being  conferred 
upon  him.  While  the  other  has  yielded  to  im- 
proper influences,  cast  off  the  badge  of  honor  that 
he  once  wore  with  so  much  pleasure  to  himself 
and  others,  has  fallen  from  the  position  that  he 
once  occupied,  and  now,  instead  of  being  honored 
and  respected,  his  conduct  is  despised  by  all. 

We  frequently  meet  with  young  men  whose 
parents  were  not  only  poor  and  illiterate,  but  so 
immoi’al  and  beastly  in  their  manners,  that  they 


FOEMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  167 

were  a disgrace  to  tlieir  species,  and  yet  such 
young  men,  by  proper  attention  to  a better  state 
of  things,  have  learned  how  to  condiict  them- 
selves in  society,  how  to  act  toward  others,  and 
have  thereby  built  up  for  themselves  a character 
which  might  justly  be  envied  by  many  of  the 
nobles  of  the  earth.  Others,  whose  parents  were 
wealthy,  educated,  and  refined  in  their  manners, 
have  neglected  the  rules  of  propriety,  pursued  a 
different  course,  and  now  stand  on  a level  with 
the  lowest  grade  of  society,  destitute  of  every 
thing  like  moral  virtue  and  refinement. 

In  vain,  then,  may  we  look  to  the  titles,  the 
honors,  or  the  fame  of  our  ancestors  to  establish 
our  character  in  this  age  of  light  and  improve- 
ment. In  vain  may  we  look  to  the  cultivation  of 
our  minds,  or  our  superior  mental  faculties  to 
establish  our  claims  to  a good  moral  character. 
For  we  may  have  the  advantage  of  all  these,  and 
yet  our  claims  may  be  rejected  by  all  wise  and 
good  men.  A man’s  character  is  now  estimated, 
not  by  the  number  of  his  high-sounding  titles,  his 
superiority  in  oflice,  or  his  literary  fame,  but  by 
the  good  qualities  of  his  heart,  as  manifested  in 
his  life  and  conduct. 

But  we  wish,  if  possible,  to  impress  upon  the 
minds  of  young  men  the  importance  of  a good 
moral  character.  It  is  of  more  real  value  to  us, 
so  far  as  our  usefulness  and  happiness  is  con- 
cerned, than  any  thing  else  that  is  earthly  in  its 
nature  and  origin.  A man,  without  a good  char- 


168 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


acter,  may  possess  fine  talents,  abundance  of 
wealth,  and  a vast  amount  of  scientific  and  intel- 
lectual knowledge,  and  still  live  in  obscurity. 
While,  if  he  is  all  right  as  to  moral  character,  he 
may  be  lacking  in  many  other  things,  and  still 
be  prominent  among  the  great  men  of  the  world, 
and  may  have  the  confidence  of  all  who  know 
him. 

Tlmusands  who  have  had  every  opportunity  to 
distinguish  themselves  in  the  world,  of  filling 
high  and  honorable  ofiices  among  their  fellow- 
beings,  and  of  making  themselves  useful  to  soci- 
ety, have  failed  to  do  so,  not  for  want  of  intelli- 
gence, not  for  want  of  skill  in  the  management 
of  the  affairs  of  men,  not  for  want  of  ability  to 
promote  the  happiness  of  men,  hut  for  want  of 
those  peculiar  traits  of  character  without  which 
the  confidence  of  a people  never  can  be  secured. 

Aaron  Burr  was,  doubtless,  a greater  man,  in- 
tellectually, than  Benjamin  Franklin.  In  this  re- 
spect, he  had  hut  few  equals,  and  probably  no 
superiors,  in  his  day.  He  was  capable  of  filling 
almost  any  office,  and  of  guiding  the  affairs  of 
men  and  of  nations,  so  far  as  his  mental  qualifi- 
cations were  concerned;  and  doubtless  would  have 
been  a great  statesman,  and  a prominent  man  in 
this  country,  if  he  had  been  a man  of  honesty 
and  moral  integrity.  But  he  was  lacking  in  both 
these  respects.  His  mind  was  full  of  low,  cun- 
ning intrigue.  He  melded  to  his  uncontrolled 
appetites  and  passions,  and  disgraced  himself,  and 


FORMATION  OP  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  169 


all  who  were  associated  with  him  in  his  career  of 
vice  and  prodigality.  And  after  living  a few 
years  in  confinement  and  obscurity,  he  died  un- 
wept and  unpitied  by  his  country. 

But  now  let  the  young  reader  direct  his  atten- 
tion to  the  history  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  and  let 
him  ask — Why  was  he  so  distinguished  as  a 
statesman?  Wliy  was  he  so  honored  by  the  peo- 
ple? Why  was  he  selected  to  fill  so  many  offices 
of  trust?  Wliy  is  his  conduct  in  the  days  of  his 
youth,  maphood,  and  old  age,  as  a man,  a states- 
man, and  a patriot,  pointed  out  as  a model  for 
others  down  to  the  present  day?  It  is  not  owing 
to  his  early  advantages,  for  he  was  left  to  shape 
his  own  course  through  life  from  childhood.  It 
is  not  owing  to  wealth,  for  this  he  did  not  pos- 
sess. It  was  not  owing  to  his  intellectual  capacity 
alone,  for  many  of  his  equals,  in  this  respect,  lived 
and  died  in  obscurity.  Whence,  then,  his  great- 
ness? It  was  owing  to  the  qualities  of  the  man 
in  a moral  point  of  view.  He  was  a man  of  good 
moral  character.  He  yielded  to  the  impulse  of  no 
low  and  selfish  principle.  He  had  respect  for 
himself  and  his  standing  in  society.  He  occupied 
high  and  honorable  ground  in  all  his  movements, 
and  thus  gained  the  confidence  of  the  people,  and 
stood  high  in  their  estimation. 

That  the  young  reader  may  see  more  clearly 
the  importance  of  a good  moral  character,  let  him 
bring-up  before  his  mind  the  case  of  that  young 
physician  in  his  neighborhood.  He  is  well  edu- 
15 


170 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


cated,  has  fine  natural  sense,  has  studied  every 
branch  connected  with  the  science  of  medicine, 
possesses  medical  skill  in  no  small  degree,  and  as 
for  judgment  in  the  treatment  of  diseases,  seems 
to  be  at  no  loss.  And  yet  his  practice,  as  a phy- 
sician, seems  to  he  quite  limited.  Xo  one  seems 
willing  to  risk  their  case  in  his  hands.  And  why? 
Why  does  he  stand  idle  all  the  day,  and  meet  with 
so  little  to  encourage  him  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession?  The  principal  reason  is,  the  people 
have  no  confidence  in  his  moral  integrity.  He 
indulges  in  so  many  of  the  vices  of  the  day,  and 
manifests  so  little  regard  for  the  rules  of  good 
society,  that  the  people  can  not  trust  him. 

That  young  jurist  is  a graduate  of  one  of  the 
best  law  schools  in  all  the  country.  His  powers 
of  eloquence  at  the  bar  are  surpassed  by  no  one 
of  his  age  in  the  profession  in  which  he  is  en- 
gaged. But  he  is  not  respected  at  the  bar. 
Scarcely  any  one  goes  to  him  for  council.  The 
community  seems  to  manifest  no  interest  in  his 
welfare;  and  all  who  have  proper  respect  for 
themselves,  seem  inclined  to  shun  his  company ; 
all  from  the  fact  that  he  does  not  possess  those 
amiable  traits  of  character  which  would  insure 
his  success.  These  remarks  will  apply  with  equal 
force  to  the  merchant,  the  mechanic,  the  farmer, 
and  to  young  men  of  all  trades  and  professions. 

See  that  young  man  who  listened  to  the  moral 
instruction  of  his  parents,  who  kept  himself  at  a 
distance  from  every  immoral  habit  in  the  days 


rOEMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHAEACTEE.  171 

of  Ills  youth ; who,  amid  all  the  fluctuations  of 
society,  and  the  changes  of  fortune,  has  steadily 
maintained  the  strictest  principles  of  morality. 
All  men,  even  had  men  themselves,  admire  his 
character  and  his  course  of  conduct..  And  now 
the  greatest  honor  that  they  can  confer  upon 
him,  is  freely  bestowed,  for  they  are  satisfled  that 
he  is  worthy  of  their  entire  confidence. 

Having  made  these  general  remarks  in  regard 
to  the  importance  of  a good  character,  we  will 
notice  more  particularly  the  means  to  he  used  in 
the  formation  of  such  a character. 

To  he  successful  in  this  matter,  it  is  highly 
necessary  that  a young  man  should  have  correct 
views  of  a good  character.  Its  outlines  should 
he  brought  distinctly  before  his  mind,  that  he  may 
have  a correct  idea  of  what  is  to  he  aimed  at. 
He  may  be  very  energetic,  and  travel  rapidly. 
He  may  place  a high  estimate  upon  a good  char- 
acter, and  desire  it  above  every  thing  else,  hut  all 
the  time  may  he  going  in  the  wrong  direction  to 
secure  the  object  of  his  pursuit.  Thousands  of 
young  men,  when  they  have  seen  or  heard  of  the 
exalted  position  which  men  have  obtained,  prin- 
cipally because  they  were  men  of  unblemished 
character,  have  resolved  that  they  would  refrain 
from  every  thing  that  would  produce  the  slightest 
stain  upon  their  character ; and  that  they  would 
pursue  a course,  in  future,  that  would  he  univer- 
sally admired,  that  they  might  he  recognized  as 
men  of  moral  worth,  and  he  universally  honored. 


172 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUISTG  MEN. 


But,  unfortunately,  their  calculations  were  in- 
correct as  to  the  course  to  he  pursued.  They 
have  done  a great  deal,  for  which  they  deserve 
credit,  much  that  was  really  praiseworthy;  hut 
as  the  result  of  ignorance,  or  inattention  to  the 
principal  ingredients  of  a good  character,  they 
have  taken  some  steps  before  they  were  conscious 
of  their  error,  which  have  blasted  all  their  pros- 
pects, and  deprived  them  of  the  object  at  which 
they  aimed.  Very  much,  then,  in  the  formation 
of  a good  character,  depends  the  ideas  which  we 
entertain  in  regard  to  it. 

Perfection,  as  to  character,  we  need  not  expect 
to  find ; for  the  most  virtuous,  exemplary,  honest 
and  honorable  may  discover  their  own  failings, 
and  they  may  be  seen,  also,  by  others.  It  is  not 
the  best  policy,  then,  for  a young  man  to  select 
any  particular  individual  as  his  model  of  excel- 
lence in  this  respect ; for  he  may  be  influenced  as 
much  by  his  bad  as  by  his  good  equalities.  It 
would  be  much  better  for  him  to  select  bis  mate- 
rial, by  catching  the  excellency  of  every  good 
model.  Let  him  resolve  to  imitate  the  example  of 
no  one,  unless  he  knows,  that  in  so  doing,  he  is 
running  no  risk. 

In  looking  for  the  proper  steps  to  he  taken  in 
the  formation  of  character,  we  should  not  rely 
too  much  upon  the  say  so  of  any  particular  in- 
dividual or  individuals.  Men  differ  very  much 
in  their  opinions  as  to  what  constitutes  a model 
character.  "What  one  may  tell  you  to  do,  another 


FORMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  173 

may  tell  you  to  leave  undone.  And  that  to 
which  one  will  attach  a great  deal  of  importance, 
another  will  attach  no  importance  at  all.  While 
one  points  to  this  path  as  leading  to  distinction 
of  character,  another  points  to  a path  leading 
altogether  in  a different  direction ; and,  at  the 
same  time,  all  may  wish  to  guide  you  to  the  same 
desirable  end. 

To  illusti’ate  : This  man  urges  the  absolute 
necessity  of  avoiding  every  thing  like  dishonesty, 
hut  gives  no  instruction  as  to  the  sentiments  to 
he  entertained  in  regard  to  any  other  principle 
of  action,  esteeming  every  thing  else,  when  com- 
pared with  honesty,  as  a matter  of  minor  import- 
ance; while  the  other  will  direct  you  to  pay 
special  attention  to  various  other  points,  which 
will  be  strictly  observed  by  those  who,  in  future, 
may  have  occasion  to  investigate  the  genuineness 
of  your  character. 

A man  of  thought,  who  wishes  to  have  a 
building  erected  of  the  most  durable  material, 
will  not  cease  to  inquire  about  this  or  the  other 
material,  after  consulting  one  or  two  builders,  but 
wishes  to  select  that  material  which  is  admitted 
by  all  to  he  the  most  durable.  So  it  should  he 
with  that  young  man  who  wishes  to  build  up  for 
himself  a good  character  in  the  world.  While 
this  man  gives  him  useful  information  on  this 
point,  and  the  other  on  that,  while  he  may,  with 
propriety,  follow  this  and  the  other  example  to  a 
certain  or  limited  extent,  he  should  select,  for  the 


174 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


government  of  his  life  and  conduct,  those  prin- 
ciples that  the  wisest  and  best  men  in  all  ages 
and  countries'  have  decided  to  be  genuine  and 
important. 

And  now,  having  selected  the  material  and  laid 
a good  foundation,  let  each  young  man  begin, 
with  care  and  prudence,  to  erect  the  building. 
But,  in  the  mean  time,  pay  proper  attention  to 
the  advice  of  wise  master-builders,  those  who  have 
sufficient  judgment  and  experience  to  justify  you  in 
relying  upon  their  skill.  And  having  engaged  in 
the  noble  work  of  building  up  for  yourself  a good 
moral  charactei’,  let  nothing  discourage  you.  You 
may,  and  doubtless  will,  find  many  difficulties  in 
your  way.  A great  deal  of  rubbish  will  have  to 
be  removed,  which  will  require  some  little  time 
and  patience,  and,  consequently,  you  may  not 
make  as  rapid  progress  as  you  could  desire,  hut 
labor  on,  and,  in  due  time,  the  beautiful  edifice 
will  be  complete ; its  domes  and  spires  will  glitter 
in  the  sunbeams,  as  they  point  to  a more  exalted 
station  in  life,  and  will  be  justly  admired  by  every 
beholder. 

But,  after  all,  the  inquiry  comes  up  from  every 
young  man  who  feels  interested  m this  matter, 
(and,  surely,  every  young  man  will  feel  deeply 
interested  as  to  his  character  and  standing  in 
society),  “AVhat  is  a good  character?  I see  its 
importance  ; I am  willing  to  make  any  reasonable 
sacrifice  that  I may  obtain  it,  but  of  what  does  it 
consist?  YTiat  are  its  chief  elements  or  ingre- 


FOEMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  175 

clients  ? "Wliat  are  the  principal  materials  to  be 
used  in  thn  construction  of  a good  moral  char- 
acter ? 

We  answer,  in  the  first  place,  that  moral  hon- 
esty is  one  of  the  principal  elements  of  a good 
character. 

ISTo  man  can  he  dishonest,  and  at  the  same  time 
he  looked  upon  as  a reliable  man,  and  as  one  who 
maintains  a good  character.  That  we  may  stand 
high  in  good  society,  we  must  be  honest,  not  only 
in  our  general  conduct,  in  our  business  transac- 
tions, and  in  our  dealings  with  other  men,  but 
we  must  be  honest  with  ourselves.  The  senti- 
ments of  the  heart;  our  plans,  our  aims,  and  our 
purposes  must  all  be  the  offspring  of  the  honest 
principles  by  which  we  are  governed.  For  if  we 
entertain  dishonest  principles  in  our  hearts,  they 
will  manifest  themselves  in  our  lives.  Their  in- 
fluence will  he  seen  in  our  words  and  actions,  in 
our  general  deportment  among  men,  and  in  all 
our  associations  with  men  of  prudence  and  dis- 
cernment. 

How  often  are  young  men  grossly  mistaken 
just  at  this  point?  Many  of  them  entertain  the 
idea,  that  they  may  be  governed  by  a set  of  dis- 
honest principles,  that  they  can  be  actuated  by 
dishonest  motives,  that  they  can  secure  desirable 
ends  in  the  use  of  dishonest  means;  and  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  live  will  never  discover 
their  dishonesty  in  any  of  their  movements  or  ar- 
rangements. Many  have  tried  their  fortune  in 


176 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


this  way,  and  nearly,  if  not  quite  as  many,  have 
been  detected  in  their  dishonesty,  and  all  their 
plans  and  arrangements  broken  np.  And  more 
than  this;  in  attempting  to  impose  npon  their 
fellow-beings,  and  deprive  them  of  their  rights, 
they  have  forfeited  their  character  and  standing 
in  society,  and  stand  disgraced  by  their  own  mis- 
conduct, in  the  eyes  of  all  honest  and  good  men. 

There  is  a maxim  that  is  quite  current  through- 
out this  country,  and  is  familiar  to  the  minds  of 
the  young  as  Avell  as  the  old.  It  is  as  follows : 
“ Honesty  is  the  best  policy.”  How,  while  we 
are  ready  to  admit  the  truth  of  this  declaration, 
and  think  it  Avould  be  well  for  all  young  men  to 
remember  it,  we  think  the  sentence  would  he 
deprived  of  none  of  its  beauty,  and  at  the  same 
time,  would  set  forth  honesty,  as  a principle  by 
which  we  should  be  governed,  in  a more  forcible 
light,  by  substituting  the  word  only  for  the  Avord 
“ best,”  as  used  in  the  sentence,  which  Avould 
make  the  sentence  read  thus:  “Honesty  is  the 
only  policy.”  This,  we  think,  is  more  in  accord- 
ance Avith  the  principles  of  sound  moral  philoso- 
phy, and  to  make  it  read  otherwise,  would  not 
be  consistent  with  such  principles.  To  attach  any 
other  meaning  to  this  maxim,  it  AA'ould  imply  that 
there  is  other  policy  which,  though  not  so  good 
as  a means  of  securing  any  desirable  end  in  life, 
might  be  pursued  without  material  injury  to  our 
character,  or  any  plan  that  we  may  have  adopted 
to  secure  our  welfare  or  happiness. 


FORMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  177 

We  are  fully  of  the  opinion,  that  no  man  can 
pursue  a dishonest  course,  whether  it  be  to  secure 
a good  name,  wealth,  honor,  or  worldly  fame, 
without  realizing,  before  he  has  pursued  this 
course  very  far,  that  he  is  traveling  the  wrong 
road.  His  plans  may  all  seem  to  work  well  for  a 
while.  He  may,  in  some  instances,  gain  the  object 
which  he  had  in  view.  He  may  have  succeeded 
in  making  the  impression,  that  he  is  honest  and 
correct  in  all  his  dealings  with  others,  and  that 
he  would  take  no  undue  advantage  of  them.  But 
ere  long  you  will  find,  if  you  will  closely  observe, 
that  he  is  gloomy,  discontented  and  unhappy. 
His  refiections  are  something  like  the  following : 
“ Others  think  that  I am  honest,  hut  I know  that 
I am  dishonest.  Others  think  that  I am  a man 
of  sound  moral  principles,  and  have  a good  char- 
acter, but  I know  that  I have  frequently  violated 
these  principles.  And  if  my  real  character  was 
understood,  I should  be  despised  by  all  honest 
men.”  And  now,  he  is  prepared  to  realize  the 
force  of  the  maxim,  to  which,  allusion  has  already 
been  made,  “ Honesty  is  the  only  policy.” 

If,  then,  as  a young  man,  you  wish  to  build  up 
a good  moral  character,  he  honest.  Let  nothing 
tempt  you  to  stoop  to  a dishonest  act,  or  to  use 
any  unlawful  means  by  which  to  succeed  in  life. 
Be  honest  in  small  matters,  as  well  as  in  those  of 
more  importance.  For  if  you  take  one  dishonest 
step,  it  will  open  the  way  for  another.  Hence 
you  should  he  guarded  at  every  point.  Many  in- 


178 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ducements  and  strong  temptations  will  be  pre- 
sented to  your  minds,  to  lead  you  from  the  path 
which  alone  can  conduct  you  to  an  honorable  po- 
sition in  society,  but  remember,  every  time  you 
are  thus  tempted,  that  honesty  is  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal materials  to  be  used  in  the  construction  of 
a good  character. 

Another  important  element  of  a good  character, 
is  integrity.  Which  is,  as  defined  by  a standard 
author,  moral  soundness,  honesty,  pmity.  And, 
according  to  the  views  of  a distinguished  writer, 
signifies  incorruptibility,  soundness  of  heart,  up- 
rightness. 

In  other  words,  it  is  that  principle  which  prompts 
us  at  all  times  to  do  our  duty.  To  do  what  we 
feel  and  knoAv  to  be  right.  To  do  so  irrespective 
of  the  example  and  opinions  of  others ; irrespect- 
ive of  surrounding  circumstances,  be  they  what 
they  may.  There  is  no  trait  of  character  more 
to  be  admired,  or  that  will  be  of  more  service  to 
us  in  the  accomplishment  of  the  great  ends  of 
life.  In  fact,  it  will  be  impossible  for  us,  Avithout 
this,  to  occupy  a very  prominent  position  among 
those  who  belong  to  the  better  classes  of  society. 

It  is  frequently  the  case  with  young  men,  that 
although  they  are  satisfied  as  to  the  importance 
of  moral  integrity  as  an  element  of  genuine  char- 
acter, as  a principle  of  moral  philosophy  from 
which  they  should  never  deviate,  they  find,  in 
vicAV  of  their  associations  in  life,  that  it  is  very 
difficult  to  carry  it  out  in  then’  practice.  In  at- 


rOEMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHAEACTER.  179 

tempting  to  do  so,  they  will  sometimes  subject 
themselves  to  the  scorn  and  ridicule  of  others, 
bring  upon  themselves  the  hatred  of  the  rich  and 
powerful,  and  will  often  find  themselves  with  a 
small  minority.  If  there  was  but  little  danger  of 
our  turning  aside  from  the  path  of  uprightness, 
there  would  be  comparatively,  but  little  necessity 
of  guarding  this  point  so  closely.  But  the  fact, 
that  the  moral  integrity  of  the  young  man  is  more 
frequently  and  strongly  attacked  than  any  other 
moral  principle  that  he  may  wish  to  maintain, 
goes  to  show  how  important  it  is  for  him  to  for- 
tify himself,  especially  at  this  point. 

A good  general  will  always  guard  well  the 
point  from  which  the  most  danger  is  to  be  ex- 
pected. And  all  young  men,  in  this  matter,  should 
act  upon  the  same  principle.  Let  them  maintain 
their  integrity,  though  the  rich,  the  influential, 
and  the  powerful  persuade  them  to  pursue  a dif- 
ferent course.  For  it  will  be  of  more  real  value  to 
them  than  gold  or  silver,  or  the  most  costly  pearls. 

The  conduct  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Watson,  a 
minister  of  the  Gospel,  in  England,  and  his  reply 
to  the  king  upon  a certain  occasion,  furnishes  a 
good  illustration  of  this  virtue. 

Mr.  Watson  commenced  preaching  the  Gospel 
of  Christ  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  or  early  in  his 
sixteenth  year.  Devoting  himself  closely  to  his 
studies,  he  soon  distinguished  himself  as  a writer, 
as  well  as  a powerful  and  eloquent  speaker.  A 
few  years  after  he  commenced  his  labors  as  a 


180 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


minister,  lie  wrote  a pamphlet  in  which  he  ably 
advocated  and  defended  the  doctrines  of  the  eter- 
nal sonship  and  divinity  of  Jesus  Christ,  The 
king  going  one  day  to  the  office  of  his  secretary, 
found  him  busily  engaged,  reading  this  pamphlet, 
but  ceased  as  soon  as  the  king  came  in,  who  re- 
fpiested  him,  soon  as  he  learned  what  he  was 
reading,  to  read  on.  Having  read  a few  pages  he 
again  ceased  to  read,  but  was  requested  again 
by  the  king  to  read  on,  and  after  listening  until 
his  secretary  had  read  most  of  the  pamphlet,  he 
incpiired  for  the  name  of  the  author,  and  was  told 
that  it  was  Richard  W atson.  The  king  then  said 
to  his  secretary,  without  explanation,  “summons 
Mr.  Watson  to  appear  before  me  on  to-morrow 
inoming.” 

Receiving  this  summons,  Mr.  Watson  was  very 
much  surprised;  hut  said,  in  the  true  spirit  of 
submission,  “ I must  obey  the  king.”  Having 
obeyed  the  summons,  the  king  asked  him  if  he 
Avas  the  author  of  the  pamphlet  referred  to  above. 
He  ansAvered  that  he  was.  To  what  church  do 
you  belong,  inquired  the  king.  To  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  said  Mr.  Watson.  Then  said 
the  king,  “I  Avish  you  to  join  the  established 
Church.  Said  Mr,  Watson,  I am  satisfied  Avith 
my  church  relationship,  and  Avish  to  make  no 
change.  The  king  then  oiiered  him  a large  sal- 
ary, and  one  of  the  best  appointments  in  the  city 
of  London,  to  induce  him  to  comply  with  his  re- 
quest, and  still  he  refused. 


rOEMATIOlN'  OP  A GOOD  CHAEACTER.  181 

Here  you  see  the  nature  and  the  beauty  of  in- 
tegrity. Mr.  Watson  honestly  believed  in  the 
doctrines  and  usages  of  the  M.  E.  C.  And  felt 
that  to  join  the  Church  of  England,  would  be  to 
; sacrifice  principles  that  he  believed  to  be  right, 
ii  This  he  refused  to  do.  Though  a poor  man,  hav- 
I ing  a family  to  support,  he  would  not  do  violence 
^ to  his  conscience  for  the  sake  of  wealth,  honor, 

I or  the  favor  of  the  king. 

I . This  is  an  example  of  integrity  worthy  to  be 
imitated  by  all.  The  king  seeing  that  Mr.  Wat- 
j son  was  a man  of  strict  integrity,  that  he  would 
not  yield  to  any  thing  contrary  to  his  convictions 
|j  of  right,  gave  to  each  of  his  children  a sufficient 
t amount  of  money  to  render  them  comfortable 
during  their  lives. 

J Young  men  are  sometimes  so  situated,  that  they 

I are  ashamed  or  afraid  to  avow  their  sentiments, 
fearing  that  they  are  not  popular,  and  that  they 
will,  thereby,  lose  public  favor  and  patronage. 
But,  whoever  shrinks  from  an  avowal  of  senti- 
ments and  principles  which  he  honestly  believes 
to  be  right,  that  he  may  gain  the  favor  of  others 
land  their  patronage  in  business,  or  to  secure  the 
friendship  of  the  great  and  influential,  will  soon 
(find  from  sad  experience,  that  he  is  pnrsuing  the 
11  wrong  course.  The  merchant,  the  physician,  the 
I jurist,  and  the  politician  sometimes  bend  from 
principles  to  gain  popular  favor;  but  in  every  in- 
stance that  we  have  yet  noticed,  instead  of  gain- 
ling,  they  have  lost  popular  favor,  and,  at  the 


i 

f 


182 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX, 


same  time  rendered  tliemselves  very  nnpopular. 
It  is  generally  supposed,  in  fact,  that  if  a man 
will  swerve  from  his  principles  in  one  instance,  he 
might  be  induced  to  do  so  in  others. 

A young  man,  after  mature  deliberation,  hav- 
ing resolved  to  pursue  a certain  course,  from  hon- 
est conviction  that  it  is  right,  should  never  deviate 
from  such  a course  under  any  circumstances,  un- 
less he  is  fully  convinced  afterward  that  he  is 
wrong.  And  especially  should  he  not  do  so 
merely  to  suit  the  whims  or  fancy  of  others.  As 
an  illustration  of  this  principle,  you  believe  it  to 
he  wrong  to  play  cards,  to  go  to  the  theater,  or 
to  any  place  of  public  amusement  calculated  to 
injure  the  morals  of  young  men.  Tour  belief 
is  founded  on  evidence  sufficiently  strong  to  sat- 
isfy your  mind  that  you  are  right. 

But  now  you  meet  with  an  old  acquaintance  or 
associate  who  urges  you  to  take  a social  game,  or 
to  go  with  him  to  the  theater;  and  you  frankly 
tell  him  that  you  believe  these  things  to  be  wrong, 
and  you  can  not  do  so  consistently  with  your  feel- 
ings and  convictions  in  regard  to  them.  Xow,  if 
you  yield  to  his  persuasions,  you  do  violence  to 
your  own  conscience,  lose  confidence  in  your  own 
firmness  and  integrity,  and  take  one  step  toward 
ruin,  so  far  as  your  moral  character  is  concerned. 

Let  me  urge  the  young  reader,  then,  if  he 
wishes  to  build  up  for  himself  a good  moral  char- 
acter, to  cultivate,  industriously,  the  virtue  of  in- 
tegrity in  small  matters  as  well  as  in  the  most 


FOEMATIOiSr  OF  A GOOD  CHAEACTEE.  183 

important  business  transactions  of  bis  life.  Con- 
vince those  Avith  whom  you  associate,  that  you 
act  from  principle  in  all  that  you  do,  and  not  from 
the  mere  impulse  of  the  moment.  That  you  are 
actuated  by  high  and  honorable  motives  in  all 
your  movements  and  associations  in  life.  And 
soon  AA'ill  your  conduct  be  admired  as  far  as  you 
are  known. 

But  before  we  close  our  remarks  upon  this 
subject,  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  state,  that 
in  the  formation  of  a good  character,  much  de- 
pends upon  the  disposition  that  we  manifest  to- 
ward our  fellow-beings,  and  especially  toward 
our  inferiors. 

It  is  highly  important,  then,  that  a young  man 
should  possess  an  amiable  and  forgiving  disposi- 
tion. A man  may  be  honest  and  upright  in  all 
his  dealings,  in  his  general  conduct,  and  in  the 
motives  by  which  he  is  actuated,  and  yet  he  may 
be  so  disagreeable  in  his  manners,  and  resentful 
in  his  feelings,  that  no  one  can  love  or  admire 
him.  We  have  seen  many  instances  of  this  kind. 
We  should  cultivate  with  great  care  a disposition 
to  please  others.  Not  by  a sacrifice  of  our  prin- 
ciples by  any  means,  or  by  yielding  to  that  which 
is  wrong,  but  by  a constant  regard  to  the  feelings 
and  rights  of  others.  It  is  this  amiable  disposi- 
tion that  prompts  us  to  render  to  all  their  due. 
This  is  the  foundation  of  that  honor  and  esteem 
that  we  owe  to  superiors  in  rank,  or  intellectual 
abilities,  and  of  that  quiet  submission  to  our  lot 


184 


LECTUEES  TO  TOUXG  MEN. 


among  men,  and  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
good  society. 

It  is  also  important  that  a young  man  should 
be  of  a forgiving  disposition.  For,  if  he  resents 
every  little  injury,  and  pursues  his  enemies  with 
feelings  of  revenge,  it  will  be  almost  impossible 
for  him  ever  to  take  a very  prominent  stand 
among  men.  “If  indeed,  power  and  esteem  are 
the  principal  objects  of  human  attention,  the 
highest  power  over  the  minds  of  men,  and  their 
most  perfect  esteem,  are  oftentimes  obtained  by 
a forgiving,  rather  than  a resenting  disposition; 
an  enemy  won  over  by  kindness  is  always  the 
most  durable  friend.  There  is  nothing  excites 
greater  gratitude  than  forbearance;  when  resent- 
ment would  have  been  justifiable;  nothing  that 
secures  so  forcibly  our  admiration,  as  to  perceive 
that  any  man  is  so  much  the  master  of  his  own 
nature;  like  the  apostle  in  the  ship,  when  we  see 
him  rising  up  and  rebuking  the  winds  and  waves 
of  the  mind,  we  ai’e  beyond  measure  amazed,  and 
ask  what  manner  of  man  may  this  he  who  can 
command  his  own  soul,  and  whom  the  passions 
and  angers  obey.” 

The  idea  prevails,  in  the  minds  of  many  young 
men,  that  they  are  bound,  in  order  to  maintain 
their  character  and  standing,  to  resent  every  in- 
jury which  they  may  receive,  however  trivial  it 
may  be.  But  among  our  greatest  and  wisest  phi- 
losophers, it  is  clearly  decided  to  he  more  noble 
and  honorable  to  forgive  an  individual  who  has 


POEMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHAEACTEK.  185 

offended  ns,  especially  if  he  repents,  than  to  act 
upon  the  principle  set  forth  in  the  following  lan- 
guage : “ I will  p Lirsue,  I will  overtake ; my  right 
hand  shall  dash  in  pieces  mine  enemy.”  And  we 
have  still  higher  authority  for  saying  “forgive 
and  ye  shall  be  forgiven.” 

In  the  formation  of  character,  a young  man 
should  pay  special  attention  to  several  other  prin- 
ciples and  rules  of  action,  that  we  can  not  conve- 
niently notice  in  this  lecture.  Such,  for  instance, 
as  justice,  morality,  adherence  to  truth,  submis- 
sion to  the  laws  of  the  country,  and  the  like. 
These  we  may  notice,  or  at  least  some  of  them,  in 
the  succeeding  lecture. 

In  the  construction  of  a character,  you  should 
remember  that  you  will  meet  with  a great  many 
obstacles.  You  may  understand  the  principles 
by  which  you  should  be  governed,  feel  their  influ- 
ence upon  your  mind,  and  appreciate  the  noble 
ends  to  which  they  lead;  but  innumerable  diffi- 
culties stand  in  the  way  of  their  attainment. 
Temptations  will  steal  around  you  from  time  to 
time,  and  exert  a powerful  influence  upon  your 
mind.  While  all  men  may  and  should  be  honest, 
it  is  a very  easy  matter  for  them  to  be  otherwise. 
And  when  they  once  become  dishonest,  it  seems 
to  afibrd  them  pleasure  to  induce  all  others  to  be- 
come so,  if  they  can  possibly  reach  them  by  their 
influence.  You  must  guard  at  this  point  espe- 
cially. Such  men  will  promise  you  wealth,  secu- 
rity against  danger,  and  worldly  pleasure,  to  induce 
16 


186 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


you  to  join  with  them  in  their  dishonest  and  dis- 
graceful deeds,  and  your  only  security  against  the 
influence  of  such  temptations  and  inducements,  is 
to  have  the  mind  well  fortifled  with  the  principles 
of  honesty  and  integrity,  and  with  every  other 
virtue  that  beautifies  and  adorns  the  character. 

Let  the  young  reader  reflect  for  a moment 
upon  the  condition  of  that  individual  who  is  des- 
titute of  moral  honesty  and  integrity.  How  low 
and  degraded  his  condition;  how  wretched  his 
feelings!  Ho  one  has  confidence  in  him,  and  he 
has  none  whatever  in  himself.  The  consequence 
is,  he  is  doomed  to  a life  of  degradation  and  mis- 
ery. See  him  as  his  countenance  falls,  and  his 
courage  sinks  within  him,  while  he  is  momenta- 
rily in  the  presence  of  men  of  honorable  stand- 
ing. See  how  he  shrinks  from  human  observa- 
tion. His  appearance  and  all  his  movements 
indicate  that  he  is  wrong  at  heart,  and  that  his 
principles  and  motives  are  dishonest. 

Eemember  that  your  destiny,  as  to  character 
and  standing,  is  in  your  own  hands.  It  is  with 
you  to  pursue  a low  and  dishonorable  course  in 
life,  and  to  occupy  a degraded  position  among 
men,  or  to  be  governed  by  those  noble  and  lofty 
sentiments  that  will  secure  to  you  an  elevated 
position  among  the  great,  the  wise,  and  the  mighty 
of  the  earth. 

Bear  in  mind  also,  that  while  you  are  forming 
a character  among  men,  that  that  character  will 
have  a direct  bearing  upon  your  condition  in  an- 


FORMATION  OF  A GOOD  CHARACTER.  187 


other  state  of  existence.  You  may  stand  high 
among  men,  have  their  confidence  as  a man  of 
integrity,  and  yet  be  destitute  of  those  principles 
and  qualifications  by  which  alone  you  can  be  en- 
abled to  stand  hefoi’e  “the  King  of  kings  and 
Lord  of  lords,”  in  the  great  day  of  accounts. 
While  society  presents  its  claims  for  your  consid- 
eration, and  holds  out  strong  inducements  to  a 
life  of  virtue  and  uprightness;  the  just  claims  of 
your  Creator  are  to  be  met,  his  laws  are  to  be 
obeyed,  and  his  requisitions  are  to  be  complied 
with,  before  you  are  prepared  for  the  society  of 
the  pure  and  the  blest  around  his  throne.  Seek 
earnestlj’'  for  a character  without  a blemish,  strive, 
by  your  influence  and  example,  to  elevate  the 
standard  of  moral  virtue,  and  your  conduct  will 
meet  with  the  approbation  of  your  fellow-beings, 
and  your  reward  shall  be  sure. 


LECTURE  IX. 


SUCCESS  IN  LIEE. 

How  various  are  the  views  of  men  in  reference 
to  life,  and  especially  in  regard  to  success  in  life. 
Some  men  seem  to  look  upon  life  as  an  insignifi- 
cant, fleeting,  uncertain  something,  and  supj)Ose 
that  they  can  disregard  its  peculiar  claims  with 
impunity.  Many  are  to  he  found,  who,  from  in- 
correct views  of  life,  or  from  having  taken  some 
misguided  steps  in  them  younger  days,  which 
have  caused  them  to  lose  confidence  in  themselves 
and  in  their  fellow-beings,  seem  to  regard  it  as  a 
matter  of  small  importance,  and  act  as  if  they 
felt  themselves  under  no  obligations  to  conduct 
themselves  in  such  a manner  that  its  greatest 
ends  might  he  accomplished  by  and  through 
them. 

We  have  seen  men  who  seemed  to  despise  life, 
with  all  its  blessings  as  well  as  its  evils.  But  we 
have  seen,  at  the  same  time,  that  such  men  were 
useless  appendages  to  society,  and  were  miserable 
beyond  description.  Xow  we  admit  that  some 
things  in  life  are  insignificant,  but  when  the 
whole  of  life  is  mewed  in  this  light,  such  a theory 
is  radically  false.  If  a young  man  adopts  this 
theory,  he  is  very  apt  to  close  his  eyes  against  all 
that  is  beautiful  in  nature,  and  sublime  in  philos- 
(188) 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


189 


ophy;  and  will  soon  find  himself  on  a level  with 
that  which  is  little  and  low  io.  the  estimation  of 
all  who  take  a more  reasonable  and  comprehen- 
sive view  of  things.  But  if  he  appreciates  life  as 
he  should,  as  an  important  gift  from  heaven,  and 
feels  that  it  is  a glorious  thing  to  live,  he  can 
then  view  it  in  its  proper  light  from  the  cradle  to 
the  grave.  He  may  then  he  prepared,  in  due 
time,  to  act  his  pai’t  among  men,  and  thus  accom- 
plish the  great  ends  of  his  present  existence. 

But  men  differ  widely  in  their  views  of  success 
in  life,  also.  Every  man  has  some  particular 
theory  in  this  respect.  Question  that  youth  a 
short  time,  and  you  will  soon  perceive  that  the 
future  has  been  looming  up  before  his  mind,  pre- 
senting to  his  imagination  glowing  pictures  of 
wealth,  pleasure,  or  distinction  among  men,  and. 
his  plans,  for  securing  some  or  all  these,  are  dis- 
tinctly marked  out,  and  he  is  sanguine  of  success. 

But  if  you  will  pi-opoimd  the  same  questions  to 
another,  you  will  find  that  his  views  of  the  future, 
and  his  plans  and  aims  are  altogether  different. 

One  views  success  in  life  as  being  nothing  more 
nor  less  than  gaining  that  point,  where,  uncon- 
trolled by  parental  restraint  or  any  other  influ- 
ence, he  can  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  the  world  to 
• the  fullest  extent,  where  he  can  give  a loose  rein 
to  his  passions,  and  gratify  the  most  vitiated  ap- 
petites and  propensities.  Another  limits  it  to 
making  money,  securing  a vast  amount  of  wealth, 
BO  that  he  may  live  in  splendor,  make  a great 


190 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


show  in  the  world,  have  every  thing  to  his  own 
liking,  and  be  independent  of  all  men.  This  is 
his  highest  conception  of  success  in  life,  and  in  all 
his  movements,  this  is  the  object  that  he  has  in 
view.  He  thinks  but  little  of  honesty,  of  justice, 
of  integrity,  of  moral  character:  wealth  is  his  aim, 
and,  right  or  wrong,  he  intends  to  succeed. 

A third  limits  success  in  life  to  the  execution 
of  some  favorite  scheme  of  ambition.  Success, 
with  him,  is  to  gain  distinction  among  men  on 
account  of  his  boldness  in  times  of  imminent 
danger,  or  the  performance  of  some  noble  deed, 
the  execution  of  which  requires  more  than  ordi- 
nary skill  and  courage.  He  longs  for  the  time  to 
come,  when,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  or  the 
mouth  of  the  cannon,  he  can  display  his  valor, 
and  thus  gain  the  plaudits  of  his  fellow-beings. 
We  might  here  set  forth  various  other  false 
notions  of  success  in  life,  but  we  think,  it  un- 
necessary. 

It  may  he  remarked  here,  that  more  correct 
views  of  success  in  life  can  not  be  expected  of 
many  of  the  young  men  of  this  country,  under 
existing  circumstances.  Wrong  impressions  are 
made  upon  their  minds,  in  the  first  place,  by  their 
parents.  By  them  they  are  taught,  not  only  to 
follow,  but  to  keep  up  with  the  fashions  of  the 
age,  without  regard  to  the  results  which  may 
follow.  The  hooks  which  they  read,  the  influences 
brought  to  bear  upon  their  minds,  and  the  ex- 
ample of  those  who  have  more  experience  in  the 


SUCCESS  m LIFE. 


191 


world  than  they  have,  are  all  calculated  to  estab- 
lish, more  fully,  those  false  ideas  of  success  in  life 
which  lead  so  many  astray. 

Young  persons  should  be  taught  that  success 
in  life  “ consists  in  being  what  we  ought  to  be ; 
in  doing  what  we  ought  to  do ; in  attaining  what 
we  ought  to  attain ; in  making  life  what  our 
Creator  designed  it  to  he  made.  We  have  a 
physical  existence  to  support,  and  hence  success 
involves  this  duty.  We  have  minds  to  develop, 
hearts  to  purify,  moral  and  social  relations  to 
sustain;  and,  consequently,  success  is  connected 
with  the  discharge  of  these  obligations.  It  looks 
to  the  use  of  every  thing  that  nature,  provi- 
dence and  religion  supply  for  the  growth  and 
perfection  of  a wise,  just,  generous,  noble  Chris- 
tian manhood  ; a manhood  that  shall  be  competent 
to  all  its  offices,  and  adorn  them  with  the  luster 
of  its  own  transcendent  beauty.” 

How  few  young  men  keep  these  great  objects 
before  their  minds,  while  they  begin  and  follow 
the  various  avocations  of  life.  If  indeed,”  says 
the  author  just  quoted,  “ this  is  the  true  idea  of 
success  in  life,  it  is  not  necessary  to  show  that 
the  great  majority  of  men  have  an  exceedingly 
low  and  imperfect  conception  of  its  nature  and 
lend.” 

• It  is  very  important  that  a young  man,  in 
taking  a start  in  life,  should  feel  that  it  is  a 
reality;  that  he  not  only  has  something  to  do, 
but  that  he  is  responsible  for  the  manner  in 


192 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


which  that  something  is  done ; and  that  while  he 
is  attending  to  the  various  duties  and  callings  of 
life,  he  is  exerting  a good  or  a bad  influence  in 
society.  Many  are  to  be  found,  who,  notwith- 
standing they  are  pursuing  a course  that  is  de- 
cidedly wrong,  suppose  that  they  are  not  respon- 
sible for  the  injury  they  inflict  upon  others,  but 
for  that  only  which  they  bring  upon  themselves. 
But  they  could  hardly  make  a greater  mistake, 
or  one  that  is  more  fatal  in  its  tendency.  And 
those  who  look  upon  the  great  objects  to  be 
accomplished  in  life  as  consisting  of  pleasure, 
wealth,  or  the  gratiflcation  of  worldly  ambition, 
are  very  apt  to  pursue  a course  that  is  injurious 
to  themselves,  and  will,  to  a greater  or  less  extent, 
afiect  the  condition  of  all  who  allow  themselves 
to  be  influenced  by  their  example. 

AVe  remark  here,  that  it  is  well  for  young  men, 
in  the  great  business  of  life,  to  guard  against  all 
extremes  in  its  various  pursuits.  Some,  after 
they  have  laid  their  plans  for  future  success  as  to 
temporal  matters,  seem  to  forget  every  thing  else. 
Believing  that  they  are  honest  in  their  intentions, 
that  in  carrying  out  their  plans  they  infringe  upon 
no  man’s  rights,  they  bend  all  theii'  energies  into 
one  channel,  and  think  of  nothing  else  but  of  gain- 
ing the  object  of  their  pursuit,  be  that  what  it  may. 
Christianity  may  present  its  claims,  but  they  have 
no  time  to  attend  to  them.  This  and  the  other 
scheme  of  benevolence  may  be  laid  before  their 
minds,  for  their  consideration  and  action,  but  they 


SUCCESS  IlSr  LIFE. 


193 


are  disregarded  by  them.  Different  plans  for  the 
moral  improvement  of  society  may  be  suggested 
to  them,  but  however  reasonable  they  may  be,  or 
however  effectual  they  might  be  in  the  accom- 
plishment of  good,  they  will  pass  them  by  alto- 
gether unnoticed.  They  seem  to  be  blind  to 
every  other  interest,  and  deaf  to  every  other 
call.  They  have  but  one  rule,  and  that  is,  to 
bend  every  thing  into  the  channel  which  leads 
directly  to  the  object  of  their  aim. 

“ On  the  other  hand,  there  are  individuals  of 
virtue  and  excellence  who  embrace  onlj^  the  moi’al 
and  religious  aspect  of  character  and  conduct  in 
their  scheme  of  human  existence.  If  the  precepts 
of  a Divine  morality,  as  taught  by  Jesus  Christ, 
are  practiced,  it  matters  not  what  are  their  earthly 
circumstances.”  Thei’e  are  persons  of  this  descrip- 
tion to  be  found  in  all  communities.  They  seem 
to  pay  but  little  or  no  attention  to  any  thing  of 
an  earthly  character,  but  occupy  their  minds 
exclusively  about  that  which  is  spiritual  in  its 
nature.  Well,  one  of  these  extremes,  so  far  as 
the  individual  himself  is  concerned,  is  nearly  as 
bad  as  the  other,  although  the  latter  may  not  be 
so  bad  in  its  practical  tendency.  Man  has  a body 
as  well  as  a soul,  and  it  is  proper  that  he  should 
attend  to  the  interests  of  both.  To  neglect  the 
body  may  not  be  quite  so  bad  a crime  as  to  ne« 
gleet  the  soul,  but  we  should  make  it  a point  to 
' neglect  neither.  Besides  this,  by  paying  no  atten- 
tion to  temporal  matters,  we  shall  evidently  be 
17 


194 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


unprepared  to  render  much  assistance  to  the  cause 
of  benevolence  or  humanity  in  the  world,  and 
thereby  fail  to  obey  the  precepts  which  we  so 
much  admire.  A young  man  should  weigh  these 
matters  candidly  and  honestly,  and,  after  mature 
deliberation,  should  pursue  a course  that  will  meet 
the  claims  against  him  in  both  respects.  And 
while  he  gives  to  business  transactions  a reason- 
able share  of  his  attention,  he  should  never  let 
them  encroach  iipon  his  religious  duties,  or  prevent 
him  from  watching,  with  deep  interest,  every  thing 
that  bears  upon  his  moral  or  religious  character. 

With  but  few  exceptioiis,  all  young  men  look 
to  the  development  of  the  future  for  the  realiza- 
tion of  the  objects  which  they  most  desire.  But 
we  may  discover,  among  them,  some  disagreement 
as  to  that  which  is  most  desirable,  and  as  to  the 
means  of  obtaining  it.  hlo  one  man  could  point 
out,  in  detail,  a course  to  be  pursued  in  life  in 
order  to  success,  that  would  suit  the  fancy,  or  be 
well  adapted  to  the  case  of  every  young  person, 
for  all  have  their  peculiar  notions ; and  to  follow 
any  particularly  specified  course  would  be,  in  the 
estimation  of  many  of  them,  to  vary  from  some 
cherished  rule  of  action,  which  would  ruin  all 
their  prospects.  'V\Tiatever  may  be  the  peculiar 
notions  of  a young  man,  however,  he  should  never 
be  satisfied  until  he  has  some  definite  plan  devised 
for  himself  which  he  believes,  if  successfully 
carried  out,  will  secure  to  him  the  greatest  amount 
of  good. 


SUCCESS  m LIFE. 


195 


But  while  he  invents,  plans,  and  labors,  and 
while  he  struggles  against  rivalry,  deceit,  and 
oppression,  the  most  important  inquiry  of  all  is, 
what  should  be  the  great  object  of  his  aim  ? 
What  is  it  for  which  he  should  strive  ? At  what 
point,  in  his  history,  may  he  conclude  that  he 
has  been  successful  in  life  ? We  answer,  that  he 
should  aim  to  secure  a sufficiency  of  the  things 
of  this  world  to  supply  his  material  and  social 
wants  ; and  a sufficiency  of  intellectual  knowledge 
and  information  to  give  him  a dignified  position 
in  society,  and  to  qualify  him  for  usefulness 
among  his  fellow-beings.  We  add  here,  though 
it  does  not  properly  come  within  the  range  of 
this  lecture,  that  his  moral  growth  and  improve- 
ment is  connected  with  success  in  life,  and  should 
not  he  oveidooked.  He  should  remember  that 
real  and  substantial  happiness  can  only  he  secured 
by  a life  of  virtue  and  religion. 

Having  made  these  general  remarks,  we  notice 
more  especially  the  course  to  be  pursued,  in  order 
to  success  in  life. 

And  in  the  first  place,  we  remark  that  success 
in  life  depends,  to  a considerable  extent,  upon  the 
selection  of  some  honorable  business. 

The  idea  prevails  among  many  at  the  present 
period,  that  makes  but  little  difterence  as  to  the 
kind  of  business  in  which  we  engage,  so  we  con- 
duct that  business  honestly,  and  it  supplies  our 
temporal  wants.  But  this  is  a great  mistake. 
And  hundreds  are  now  to  be  found,  who,  if  their 


196 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


real  sentiments  were  known,  attribute  their  ill 
success  in  life,  to  having  engaged  in  some  busi- 
ness in  early  life  that  was  inconsistent  with  the 
rules  of  morality.  This  is  so  evident,  that  it 
scarcely  needs  an  argument,  or  an  illustration  to 
make  it  more  plain.  For  if  a man  engages  in  a 
dishonorable  business,  it  brings  him  in  contact 
with  dishonorable  men.  And  to  associate  with 
such  men,  is  not  only  dangerous  but  ruinous. 

Look,  for  instance,  at  the  theatrical  perfoiuner, 
the  professional  gambler,  or  those  who  have  made 
it  their  business  to  deal  out  intoxicating  liquors. 
Idieir  associations  are  such,  that  it  is  almost  im- 
possible for  them  to  make  any  improvement  in  a 
moral  point  of  view.  For  they  have  compara- 
tivehq  no  time  for  reflection,  no  time  for  those 
serious  thoughts,  without  which  no  man  can  lead 
a life  of  virtue.  The  result  is,  he  forgets  his  re- 
sponsibility, not  only  to  his  Creator,  but  to  soci- 
ety. And  now  he  begins,  step  by  step,  to  deviate 
from  the  path  of  uprightness  and  honesty,  to 
adopt  sentiments  which  are  i-adically  wrong ; soon 
resorts  to  the  use  of  unlawful  means  to  secure  the 
end  they  have  in  view,  and  Anally  bring  upon 
themselves  disgrace  and  ruin. 

If  a young  man  does  succeed  well  in  life,  he 
ought  to  have  the  consoling  reflection  that  he  has 
done  so  upon  honorable  principles.  For  if  he 
succeeds  upon  any  other  principle,  he  can  not  en- 
joy the  fruits  of  his  labors.  Did  you  ever  see  an 
individual  who  had  spent  the  prime  of  his  life  in 


SUCCESS  IJSr  LIFE. 


197 


gambling,  or  some  other  unlawful  business,  who 
seemed  to  be  happy  in  his  old  age?  ITever. 
True,  such  an  one  may  live  in  a splendid  palace, 
richly  furnished,  and  may  have  all  the  conveni- 
ences of  life  around  him ; but  at  the  same  time, 
his  appearance  indicates  a discontented  state  of 
mind,  and  demonstrates  that  honest  poverty  is 
much  better  than  unjust  wealth. 

On  the  other  hand,  to  engage  in  a business 
which  is  in  exact  keeping  with  just  and  honorable 
principles,  will  secure  for  us  the  attention,  favor, 
and  associations  of  the  best  classes  of  society. 
And  this,  of  itself,  will  strengthen  our  purposes 
to  do  that  which  is  lawful  and  right.  Let  a man 
be  conscious  that  his  sentiments,  feelings  and  ac- 
tions all  point  in  the  right  direction,  and  let  him, 
at  the  same  time,  have  a strong  desire  to  avoid 
that  which  he  conceives  to  be  wrong,  and  he  will 
soon  find  that  his  course  is  universally  admired. 
And  to  be  admired  by  our  fellow-beings  on  ac- 
count of  our  integrity  in  business  transactions, 
I and  to  feel  that  we  are  honored  because  we  are 
just,  stimulates  us  to  go  forward  in  the  path  of 
duty.  And  this  is  the  only  true  road  to  success 
in  life,  to  permanent  happiness. 

We  are  familiar  with  the  case  of  a young  man, 
which  will  serve  as  an  illustration  of  the  point 
now  under  consideration.  He  was  brought  up  by 
pious  parents,  immediately  in  the  neighborhood 
where  we  were  raised.  When  quite  young,  he 
professed  religion  and  joined  the  church,  of  which 


198 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


lie  was  a very  consistent  member  for  several  years. 
We  have  no  donbt  but  be  was  sincere  in  bis  pre- 
tensions. All  who  knew  him  seemed  to  have  the 
utmost  confidence  in  bis  integrity  and  piety.  He 
was,  also,  industrious  and  economical,  and  was 
unusually  active  and  sprightly  in  business.  He 
was  a young  man  of  more  than  ordinary  talents, 
strictly  moral,  and  seemed,  in  feeling  and  practice, 
to  be  directly  opposed  to  those  little  vices,  as  they 
are  denominated,  in  which  young  persons  are  so 
apt  to  indulge.  But  the  period  finally  anived 
when  he  must  commence  business  for  himself, 
when  he  was  to  be  thrown  upon  his  own  re- 
sources, and  depend  upon  his  own  efforts  as  a 
means  of  getting  along  in  the  world. 

Unfortunately  for  that  young  man,  he  engaged 
in  the  licpior  traflic.  His  friends  were  surprised, 
and  one  after  another  warned  him  of  his  danger, 
and  insisted  on  his  changing  his  business.  He 
told  them  that  there  was  no  danger,  that  he  in- 
tended to  conduct  the  business  in  which  he  was 
engaged,  honestly,  and  he  thought  he  could  do  so 
without  injury  to  himself  in  any  Avay,  and  was 
disposed  to  risk  the  consequences.  He  still  at- 
tended church,  went  to  Sabbath  school,  and  seemed 
to  maintain  his  position  in  the  community  as  an 
honorable  young  man.  But  his  business  soon  led 
him  to  associate  with  men,  many  of  whom  were 
without  moral  principles,  had  no  regard  for  reli- 
gion, no  regard  for  the  welfare  of  the  young  men 
of  their  country.  In  a short  time  it  was  to  be  seen 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


199 


that  this  young  man  had  undergone  a great  change, 
as  to  sentiments,  feelings,  and  actions.  He  was 
now  very  seldom  seen  at  church,  scarcely  ever  at 
Sabbath  school ; but  might  he  seen,  on  the  Sabbath 
day,  dealing  out  strong  drink  to  him  that  was 
athirst  for  such  stuff,  or  engaged  in  some  thing 
else,  which  was  equally  demoralizing  in  its  ten- 
dency. 

But  what  are  the  facts  in  relation  to  that  young 
man  at  present?  We  answer,  that  he  is  almost  a 
confirmed  drunkard,  a gambler,  and  a profane 
swearer;  and  the  young  reader  can  imagine  the 
rest.  Well,  is  it  not  evident  to  every  reflective 
mind,  that  if  this  young  man  had  engaged  in  some 
other  business,  that  he  would  still  be  the  same  re- 
spectable, influential  citizen  that  he  once  was? 
Here,  then,  we  see  the  necessity  of  engaging  in 
honorable  business,  if  we  would  be  successful  in 
life  according  to  the  true  import  of  that  phrase. 
It  may  be  truly  said,  in  one  sense  of  the  word, 
that  the  man  makes  the  business.  But  it  is  equally 
true,  in  another  sense,  that  the  business  makes 
the  man.  Be  careful,  then,  as  to  the  kind  of  busi- 
ness in  which  you  engage.  Look  not  only  to  the 
profits  of  business,  but  to  its  tendency  in  a moral 
point  of  view.  And  remember  that  you  had  much 
better  work  by  the  day  at  some  honorable  em- 
ployment, than  to  be  in  the  most  lucrative  busi- 
ness in  the  world,  which  will  necessarily  lead  you 
to  do  violence  to  your  own  conscience. 

Again,  we  observe  that  a general  knowledge  of 


200 


LECTUEES  TO  YOTJXG  MEN. 


business  is  very  essential  as  a means  of  success  in 
life. 

We  sbould  have  a thorough  knowledge  of 
the  general  principles  of  business,  as  well  as  of 
its  “ petty  details.”  And  especially  of  that  branch 
of  business  in  which  we  are  engaged.  And  we 
should  look  well,  also,  to  those  circumstances  and 
other  causes  which  produce  its  steadiness  or  its 
changes.  Much  depends  upon  our  having  suffi- 
cient information  in  regard  to  it,  to  enable  us  to 
guard  every  point  from  which  danger  is  to  be  ex- 
pected. Many  individuals  are  unfortunate  from 
the  fact,  that  they  are  unable  to  see  clearly  the 
influences  which  are  operating  against  them,  when, 
if  they  would  inform  themselves,  and  guard  against 
those  influences,  they  would  get  along  smoothly, 
and  do  well.  There  are  various  points  in  all  kinds 
of  business,  which  shovdd  be  studied  until  they  are 
well  understood. 

It  stands  exerj  business  man  in  hand  to  inquire, 
how  can  I open  up  a communication  between 
myself  and  the  world?  How  can  I secure  their 
patronage?  In  what  way  can  I obtain  custom 
without  false  inducements,  and  retain  it  for  mutual 
profits?  We  should  investigate  these  points  until 
we  have  mastered  them.  We  should  never  rest 
satisfied  until  we  have  gone  to  the  bottom  of  these 
things.  And  then  we  shall  be  prepared  to  trans- 
act business  with  a degree  of  intelligence  that 
will  be  creditable  to  ourselves,  and  to  the  satis- 
faction of  all  with  whom  we  are  associated. 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


201 


It  is  said  by  one,  “that  superficial  knowledge 
is  always  dangerous,  but  in  trade  and  commerce 
it  is  a positive  evil.”  And  if  we  will  but  look  at 
the  strange  methods  adopted  by  some  men  to 
carry  on  their  regular  business,  we  can  not  fail  to 
perceive  the  truth  of  this  declaration.  Some  men 
seem  to  suppose  that  their  business  is  disconnected 
with  every  other  trade  or  profession,  and,  there- 
fore, pay  no  attention  to  any  other  department  of 
business,  except  that  to  which  theirs  properly  be- 
longs. The  result  is,  their  operations  are  limited 
to  a very  small  compass ; when,  really,  one  branch 
of  business  is  necessarily  connected  with  many 
others.  And  in  many  instances  so  intimately, 
that  one  can  not  be  successfully  carried  on  without 
the  other.  Hence,  we  say,  that  every  man,  if  pos- 
sible, should  have  a general  knowledge  of  the  va- 
rious kinds  of  business  followed  by  ditferent 
men,  that  he  may  know  how  to  act  in  harmony 
with  others,  and  mutually  promote  each  other’s 
interest. 

We  know  it  may  be  said,  that  if  a young  man 
attends  well  to  one  branch  of  business,  trade,  or 
profession,  and  makes  himself  thoroughly  ac- 
quainted with  it,  that  he  will  be  kept  busy  enough. 
But  this  is  all  a mistake.  And  one,  too,  which 
is  fatal  to  the  interests  of  hundreds  of  young  men. 
How,  we  have  virtually  admitted  that  we  should 
first  become  practically  acquainted  with  the  tech- 
nicalities and  peculiar  changes  of  our  own  branch 
of  business.  But  we  should  go  further  thaii  this, 


202 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEX. 


and,  as  far  as  possible,  become  acquainted  with 
every  other  kind  of  business  which  comes  within 
our  range.  We  may  see  after  awhile,  that  it 
would  be  better  to  change  our  business,  and  en- 
gage in  something  else.  And  if  we  have  trained 
our  minds  to  run  in  one  channel  only,  we  will  find 
it  difficult  to  bring  it  into  active  exercise  in  any 
other  capacity. 

Then  again,  “every  now  and  then  the  world 
changes  front;  new  interests  take  the  lead;  inno- 
vations change  the  surface  of  things.  You  must, 
therefore,  watch  the  course  of  civilization,  and  go 
with  it.  Be  a practical  observer  of  that  ever- 
varying  scene,  human  life;  and  while  you  adhere 
to  fixed  principles  and  great  ends,  keep  yourself 
alive  to  the  art  of  consistent  and  effective  adapta- 
tion. Have  no  fancies  and  crotchets.  Aever 
overstate  arguments  to  yourself,  and  be  suspicious 
of  much  logic.”  * * * “Another  thing  ought 

to  be  weighed;  no  thoughtful  person  would  wish 
that  his  business  should  outgrow  him,  and  yet 
numerous  instances  have  we  known  of  men  pros- 
pering faster  than  they  acquired  intelligence  and 
skill  to  manage  a widening  field.  There  is  a cer- 
tain work  for  the  mind  in  every  sphere  of  life, 
which  time  alone  can  do.  It  can  not  be  antici- 
pated. Our  observation,  reading,  study  of  to-day 
may  lie  dormant  within  the  brain  for  years — not 
dead,  however — but  slowly  germinating  for  a plen- 
tiful harvest.  This  is  especially  true  of  business. 
Its  most  valuable  wisdom,  founded  in  experience, 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


203 


is  a slow  growth;  and  every  one  should  he  wil- 
ling to  wait  that  maturity  before  he  indulges  his 
ambition  and  enterprise  for  a great  business.” 

But  again,  decision  of  mind,  and  fixedness  of 
purpose  are  important  as  a means  of  success  in 
life. 

Having  engaged  in  some  kind  of  business,  or 
commenced  studying,  with  the  design  of  practic- 
ing law  or  medicine,  or  with  the  intention  of  be- 
coming a politician  or  statesman;  or  of  becoming 
an  artist  or  mechanic,  be  steady  in  your  purpose. 
Unless  some  insurmountable  difficulty  rises  up 
before  you,  and  you  are  thoroughly  convinced,  by 
positive  evidence,  that  you  are  pursuing  the  wrong 
course,  persevere,  and  be  determined  to  succeed. 
Thousands,  for  want  of  firmness  and  steadfastness 
in  business,  have  failed  of  success.  Show  me  a 
young  man  who,  in  all  the  fluctuations  of  busi- 
ness, is  firm  in  his  purpose,  who  continues  to  per- 
severe under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances, 
and,  nine  times  out  of  ten,  we  will  show  you  one 
who  will  gain  the  point  at  which  he  aims.  While, 
on  the  other  hand,  a young  man  who  is  all  energy 
to-day,  and  seems  flushed  with  the  idea  of  success, 
and  on  to-morrow  seems  depressed  in  spirits,  and 
is  ready  to  change  his  business  and  engage  in 
something  else,  we  may  take  it  for  guanted  that 
he  will  never  do  much  for  himself,  or  any  one 
else. 

To  see  the  importance  of  decision  of  mind,  and 
of  perseverance  in  what  you  undertake,  look  for 


204  LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 

a moment  at  tlie  case  of  Demosthenes,  the  most 
renowned  of  all  the  ancient  orators.  In  his  hrst 
public  speech  he  was  hissed  at  by  the  whole  au- 
dience. He  withdrew  from  the  crowd  with  his 
head  hung  down  in  great  confusion.  He  had  an 
impediment  in  his  speech  which  prevented  him 
from  speaking  with  that  fluency  that  was  neces- 
sary to  attract  the  attention  of  the  people.  He 
was  met  by  a friend,  however,  who  assured  him 
that  the  difliculty  in  the  way  might  he  overcome 
if  he  would  apply  himself  closely  to  study,  with 
a determination  to  be  successful.  His  friend,  an 
excellent  orator  of  those  times,  gave  him  a great 
deal  of  instruction  that  was  appropriate  to  his 
ease;  and  Demosthenes  then  determined  to  make 
of  himself  a great  orator.  To  get  clear  of  the 
impediment  in  his  speech,  he  put  small  pebbles 
into  his  mouth,  and  would  pronounce  several 
verses  in  that  manner  without  interruption. 

It  is  said,  too,  that  “ he  went  also  to  the  sea-side, 
and  while  the  waves  were  in  the  most  violent 
agitation,  he  pronounced  harangues,  to  accustom 
himself,  by  the  confused  noise  of  the  waters,  to 
tlie  roar  of  the  people,  and  the  tumultuous  cries 
of  public  assemblies.”  ^ 

The  same  historian  tells  us,  that  “his  pains 
were  well  bestowed;  for  it  was  by  these  means 
that  he  carried  the  art  of  declaiming  to  the  high- 
est degree  of  perfection  of  which  it  was  capable.” 

As  a further  illustration  of  this  point,  let  us 
suppose  that  a young  man  begins  the  study  of 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


205 


law,  with  the  intention  of  becoming  a jurist;  and 
after  making  considerable  progress  that  way, 
changes  his  notion,  and  resolves  to  qualify  him- 
self for  the  practice  of  medicine.  And  now  that 
he  is  qualified,  and  has  commenced  this  business, 
let  us  suppose  that  he  becomes  dissatisfied,  and 
resolves  on  being  a farmer,  and  with  this  inten- 
tion, abandons  the  practice  of  medicine.  Can 
it  be  expected  that  this  young  man  will  succeed? 
All  must  see  that  it  is  very  probable  that  he  will 
fail  in  every  thing  that  he  undertakes. 

H’ow,  we  would  not  be  understood  here  as  say- 
ing, that  a man  should  never  change  his  business 
or  his  plan  of  operation.  There  are  times  in 
which  this  may  he  done,  to  great  advantage,  as 
has  been  already  intimated.  If  the  business,  trade, 
or  profession  in  which  we  are  engaged,  ceases  to 
be  of  importance,  owing  to  some  revolution  in 
trade  or  commerce,  in  the  community  in  which 
we  live,  wisdom  and  sound  judgment  would  dic- 
tate that  we  should,  to  a certain  extent,  be  gov- 
erned by  such  circumstances.  But  great  caution 
is  necessary  at  such  times.  And  such  changes 
should  be  made  after  mature  deliberation,  and 
with  an  eye  to  the  influence  that  it  may  have 
upon  our  moral  and  intellectual  improvement. 


LECTURE  X. 


SUCCESS  m LIFE. — COIITEfUED. 

We  notice,  in  the  next  place,  that  to  succeed 
in  life,  we  must  adhere  strictly  to  truth,  and  guard 
well  against  falsehood  upon  the  part  of  others. 

“ Upon  truth  rests  all  human  knowledge ; to 
truth  man  is  indebted  for  the  hourly  preservation 
of  his  life,  and  for  a perpetual  guide  to  his  ac- 
tions. Without  truth  the  atfairs  of  the  world 
could  no  longer  exist,  as  they  now  are,  than  they 
could  if  any  of  the  great  physical  laws  of  the 
universe  were  suspended.  As  truth  is  of  indis-  j 
pensible  necessity  in  the  great  concerns  of  the  j 
world,  it  is  also  of  immense  importance,  as  it  re- 
lates to  the  common  and  daily  intercourse  of  life. 
Ealsehood  must  have  a dii-ect  and  powerful  tend- 
ency to  disturb  the  order  of  human  affairs,  and 
to  introduce  into  the  bosom  of  society  every  gra- 
dation and  variety  of  mischief.” 

If  you  would  see  how  improbable  it  is  that  a 
notorious  liar  will  succeed  in  any  kind  of  busi- 
ness, look  what  a low  estimate  is  put  upon  the 
degraded  wretch  by  those  who  are  acquainted  with 
him.  His  friends,  if  he  has  any,  are  afraid  of  him, 
and  keep  at  the  utmost  distance  from  him.  He 
can  no  longer  get  them  to  believe  any  thing  that 
he  says.  But  he  is  heard  in  contemptuous  silence, 
(206) 


SUCCESS  m LIFE. 


207 


and  treated,  as  he  should  he,  as  a man  npon  whom 
no  one  can  rely.  The  people,  as  might  be  ex- 
pected, shrink  from  and  abhor  him  as  though  he 
was  a monster  not  fit  to  live  among  men.  And 
he  “ lives  to  witness  a gradual  conspiracy  against 
him  of  all  that  is  good,  and  honorable,  and  wise, 
and  great.” 

That  species  of  lying  which  is  most  degrading 
in  its  character,  and  the  most  injurious  in  its 
tendency,  generally  has  its  origin  in  a disposition 
or  determination  to  defraud  others,  and,  by  decep- 
tion, to  gain  some  advantage  of  them  in  the  com- 
mon concerns  of  life.  And  that  man  who  is 
guilty  of  this  kind  of  falsehood,  is  dangerous  to 
the  well-being  of  society,  and  should  be  dreaded 
by  every  truthful  and  honest  man ; for  while  it 
ruins  the  moral  character  of  him  who  is  guilty 
of  this  species  of  lying,  and  is  awfully  pernicious 
in  its  consequences,  there  is  but  little  probability 
of  bringing  such  an  individual  hack  to  the  path 
of  truth  and  virtue  ; and  the  sooner  a community 
gets  clear  of  such  a pest,  the  better  it  will  b.e  for 
it.  Instead,  then,  of  upholding  such  a man  in  a 
community,  and  giving  him  an  opportunity  of 
getting  along  well  in  business,  every  man  who 
has  proper  regard  for  the  general  happiness  of 
society,  will  be  trying  to  keep  him  from  getting 
the  advantage  of  them,  by  having  nothing  to  do 
with  him. 

Hundreds  in  every  community  are  in  the  habit 
of  lying  in  their  ordinary  business  transactions  as 


208 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


a matter  of  gain.  They  seem  to  have  practiced 
this  evil  until  they  have  no  more  regard  for  truth, 
than  if  it  was  not  required  of  them  either  by  God 
or  man.  And  they  will  take  more  pains  to  get 
those  with  whom  they  trade  to  believe  that  which 
is  false,  than  they  will  to  get  them  to  believe  the 
plain  truth,  if  that  truth  is,  in  any  way,  involved 
in  mystery. 

And,  after  all,  how  useless  a thing  is  lying  in 
any  kind  of  business ! A man,  by  falsehood, 
may  get  along  rapidly  in  business  for  awhile, 
but,  at  the  last,  that  falsehood  will  be  the  means 
of  his  downfall  and  destruction.  The  liar  is  not 
apt  to  go  unpunished.  We  may,  by  lying,  deceive 
and  impose  upon  others  for  awhile,  but  when  the 
falsehood  is  detected,  it  will  do  us  tenfold  more 
harm  than  the  profits  of  lying  can  possibly  do  us 
good,  besides  the  loss  we  sustain  as  to  moral 
character  and  standing  in  society.  Scarcely  any 
thing  of  which  we  could  he  guilty  would  give 
others  a worse  opinion  of  us  than  for  them  to 
learn  that  we  are  in  the  habit  of  lying.  TThile 
contemplating  the  condition  and  character  of  that 
individual  who  has  come  to  the  years  of  maturity, 
and  who  has  been  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  looked 
upon  as  a notorious  liar,  we  have  thought  it 
would  have  been  much  better  for  him  if  he  had 
never  been  born,  or  for  him  to  have  died  in  the 
days  of  his  youth. 

A few  years  ago  we  attended  the  sale  of  a lot 
of  dry  goods,  in  one  of  the  smaller  towns  in 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


209 


Kentucky.  They  were  sold  at  auction  by  a naer- 
chant  from  one  of  the  eastern  cities.  When  this 
sale  first  commenced,  each  article  was  cried  otf 
at  something  like  its  true  value.  It  soon  became 
evident,  however,  that  the  gentleman,  if  we  may 
so  call  him,  who  was  disposing  of  the  goods,  was 
knowingly  and  positively  lying  about  every  pack- 
age which  he  disposed  of.  The  purchasers  soon 
became  disgusted  at  his  course,  and  commenced 
hissing  at  him  to  his  face.  lie  soon  discovered 
that  he  had  adopted  the  wrong  policy ; for  pack- 
age after  package  commenced  going  otf  at  a large 
per  cent,  below  their  real  value.  The  people 
saw  and  knew  this,  but  they  resolved  that  they 
would  run  no  further  risk  of  being  imposed  upon 
by  a man  who  evidently  intended  to  sell  at  large 
profits  by  positive  lying.  The  result  was,  he 
packed  his  goods  and  left  the  town,  and  went  to 
an  eligible  point  in  another  State;  but  scarcely 
had  he  conmienced  operations  there,  before  the 
report  came,  as  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind,  that 
his  object  was  to  succeed,  by  misrepresentation, 
and  he  again  made  a failure. 

Here  we  see  the  evil  consequences  of  falsehood 
in  connection  with  any  business  transaction.  If 
that  young  man  had  pursued  an  honorable  course, 
and  adhered  strictly  to  the  truth,  he  would  have 
disposed  of  his  goods  at  a fair  value,  and  would 
have  saved  himself  a great  deal  of  trouble  and 
expense,  and,  at  the  same  time,  have  had  an 
approving  conscience.  But,  as  it  was,  he  disgraced 
18 


210 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


himself  in  the  estimation  of  all  who  had  formed 
jan  acquaintance  with  him. 

It  was  very  truly  said  by  that  close  observer  of 
human  nature,  Sidney  Smith,  “it  is  almost  impos- 
sible to  deceive  the  great  variety  of  talent,  infor- 
mation, and  opinion,  of  Avhich  the  world  is  com- 
posed. Truth  prevails,  by  the  universal  combina- 
tion of  all  things  animate  or  inanimate,  against 
falsehood ; for  ignorance  makes  a gross  and  clumsy 
fiction ; carelessness  omits  some  featm’e  of  a fiction 
that  is  ingenious;  bad-fellowship  in  fraud  betrays 
the  secret;  conscience  bursts  into  atoms;  the  sub- 
tility of  angry  revenge  unvails  it;  mere  brute,  un- 
conspiring matter  reveals  it;  death  lets  in  the 
light  of  truth;  all  things  teach  a wise  man  the 
difficulty  and  bad  success  of  falsehood;  and  truth 
is  inciilcated  by  human  policy,  as  well  as  by  divine 
command.” 

All  young  men  who  may  endeavor  to  succeed  in 
life  by  falsehood,  are  sure,  sooner  or  later,  to  real- 
ize the  truth  of  what  is  here  said.  Beside  this, 
you  wish  to  occupiy  at  least  a respectable  position 
in  society.  You  wish  to  have  the  confidence  of 
those  with  whom  you  are  associated.  But  if  you 
indulge  in  this  sinful  habit,  you  will  occupy  the 
most  degraded  position  among  men,  and  deprive 
yourself  of  present  and  eternal  happiness. 

But  we  must  not  only  adhere  to  the  truth,  but 
guard  against  misrepresentation  upon  the  part  of 
others.  In  view  of  what  has  been  said,  we  need 
make  but  a remark  or  so  upon  this  point.  Yliile 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


211 


many  are  to  be  found  wlio,  from  principle  or  as  a 
matter  of  policy,  never  say  any  thing  at  variance 
with  the  truth,  thousands,  with  whom  we  may 
have  to  do,  will  he  seeking  to  get  the  advantage 
of  us,  and  to  deprive  us  of  our  rights,  by  false 
statements  and  insinuations.  A great  many  young 
men  have  been  ruined,  as  to  fortune  and  charac- 
ter, by  having  too  much  confidence  in  the  verac- 
ity of  others.  In  some  respects,  we  may  be  as 
speedily  ruined  by  relying  too  implicitly  upon 
what  is  said  by  others,  as  by  uttering  falsehoods 
ourselves. 

"When  the  serpent  came  to  Eve,  tempting  her  to 
eat  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  he  knew  that  if  she 
did  eat,  that  she  would  die.  But  he  said,  “thou 
shalt  not  surely  die,”  “but  thou  shalt  be  as  gods; 
knowing  good  from  evil.”  Unfortunately  for  her 
and  the  rest  of  the  human  family,  she  listened  to 
what  he  said,  and  acted  accordingly.  Well,  there 
are  persons,  at  the  present  day,  under  the  influence 
of  the  same  malignant  being.  And  if  we  are  not 
constantly  on  our  guard,  we  shall  be  liable  all  the 
time  to  be  misled  by  them.  How  we  would  not 
have  you  to  be  so  cautious,  in  this  matter,  as  not 
to  believe  any  thing  that  you  hear,  hut  we  wish 
simply  to  impress  upon  your  mind  that  there  are 
men  to  whose  influence  you  may  be  exposed,  who 
expect  to  get  along  in  the  world  in  no  other  way 
than  by  deception  and  imposition. 

Again,  to  be  successful  in  life,  you  must  avoid 
extravagance.  Scores  of  persons  are  poor  and  al- 


212 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


most  entirely  dependent  on  others  for  a support, 
who  might  have  been  in  independent  circum- 
stances, if  they  had  not  scattered  profusely  what 
they  once  possessed.  A number  of  families  are  to 
be  found,  which  might  now  live  comfortably  upon 
what  they  have  heretofore  wasted  in  gratifying 
their  extravagant  notions.  The  unnecessary  ex- 
penditures of  some  young  men  would  decently 
and  creditably  support  others,  if  they  had  no  other 
income.  It  is  astonishing  to  see  how  hard  some 
young  persons  will  labor,  how  closely  they  will  at- 
tend to  business,  and  how  foolishly,  and  for  what 
small  trifles  they  will  spend  their  earnings.  They 
seem  not  to  regard  the  future,  but  direct  their  at- 
tention altogether  to  those  things  which  afibrd 
pleasure  at  the  present  time. 

A few  years  since,  we  became  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  a young  man  who  was  quite  wealthy. 
His  father  had  been  quite  sirccessful  in  business, 
and  had  secured  for  himself  and  family  a hand- 
some little  fortune,  but  died  when  he  was  compar- 
itively  young,  and  left  it  all  to  his  children.  The 
portion  inherited  by  the  son,  to  whom  we  here 
have  reference,  amounted  to  some  twelve  or  fifteen 
thousand  dollars,  which  by  some  young  persons 
would  he  considered  quite  a fortune.  This  young 
man  was  a noble  and  generous-hearted  man,  and 
was  kind  and  obliging  almost  to  a fault.  And  in 
addition  to  this,  he  was  strictly  moral.  He  would 
neither  swear,  break  the  Sabbath,  nor  use  intoxi- 
cating liquors  of  any  kind,  and  was  careful  to 


SUCCESS  m LIFE.  213 

avoid  most  of  the  vices  in  which  so  many  young 
persons  indulge  to  their  ruin. 

But  after  all,  this  young  man  was  extravagant. 
Especially  was  he  so  in  regard  to  dress  and  travel- 
ing equipage.  The  most  fashionable  cities  of  the 
East  could  not  furnish  him  with  clothing  that  was 
too  fine,  and  he  was  not  satisfied  if  his  carriage 
and  horses  were  not  superior,  in  all  respects,  to 
any  that  could  be  found  in  the  community  in 
which  he  lived.  We  counted  in  his  wardrobe,  at 
one  time,  some  twelve  suits  of  clothing,  all  fine 
and  nice.  Beside  this,  though  he  was  quite  young, 
he  went  to  the  expense  of  building  for  himself  - a 
splendid  palace,  and  of  furnishing  it  with  the  most 
costly  furniture  which  the  country  could  produce; 
beside  various  other  extravagant  notions  too  te- 
dious to  be  named. 

And  what  was  the  result?  Why  he  soon  ran 
through  all  that  he  possessed,  and  was  deeply  in- 
volved in  debt.  We  have  not  seen  him  for  some 
3^ears  past,  but  learn  from  realiable  authority  that 
he  is  hard  pressed  to  get  along  in  the  world,  and 
is  hound  to  attend  closely  to  business  to  meet  the 
ordinary  demands  of  nature.  I^ow  if  this  young 
man  had  not  indulged  to  such  an  extent  his  pro- 
pensity to  show  oft'  in  the  world,  and  had  taken 
things  more  moderately;  if  he  had  paid  more  at- 
tention to  his  real  wants,  and  less  to  the  fashions 
and  customs  of  the  day,  he  might  now  be  comfort- 
ably situated  in  life,  and  in  a condition  to  make 
himself  useful  to  others. 


214 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


But  we  must  avoid  extravagance  not  only  in 
dress,  houses,  furniture  and  such  like,  but  also  in 
business. 

Said  a distinguished  writer  on  this  subject:  “A 
business  that  yields  you  a fair  saving  for  future 
wants  is  all  you  ought,  at  first,  to  expect;  and  as 
it  advances,  if  it  aftbrds  you  full  competency  and 
comfort  you  may  rest  satisfied  that  it  will  meet 
your  reasonable  wishes.  Rapid  prosperity  should 
be  sought  by  no  sensible  man.  Apart  from  its 
serious  risks,  the  mind  must  grow,  and  life  must 
multiplj^  its  sentiments  and  feelings,  before  you 
eun  reach  that  degree  of  human  experience,  which 
is  essential  to  large  enjoyment.  This  is  a great 
evil  in  American  mercantile  life,  indeed,  it  is  a 
vice  of  our  society.  The  most  of  our  people 
strive  to  crowd  enjoyment  into  their  existence  ere 
they  have  leai’iied  to  be  happy ; or  reached  the  age 
at  which  it  is  susceptible  of  most  intensity.” 

A young  gentleman,  some  years  since,  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  upon  a small  scale,  in 
the  city  of  L — , and  for  awhile  was  very  success- 
ful. He  resolved,  however,  to  operate  upon  a 
larger  scale ; and  accordingly  rented  a fine  large 
business-house,  and  filled  it  with  the  various  arti- 
cles pertaining  to  his  trade.  But  he  soon  found 
that  he  had  enlarged  his  business  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  he  had  not  suflicient  capacity  to  manage 
and  control  it,  and  that  his  business  was  not  pro- 
portioned to  his  experience  and  business  qualifica- 
tions. He  soon  discovered,  also,  that  his  expend!- 


SUCCESS  m LIFE. 


215 


tures  were  considerably  larger  than  his  regular 
income,  and  that  he  lacked  ability  to  change  this 
state  of  things.  The  result  was,  he  was  under  the 
necessity  of  suspending  operations.  And  on  wind- 
ing up  his  business,  he  found  himself  in  debt  to 
the  amount  of  some  several  thousand  dollars. 

Then,  what  we  would  say  to  young  men  is,  be 
frugal  in  all  matters,  whether  great  or  small.  And 
especially  is  this  practice  necessary  in  every  de- 
partment of  business.  Let  a man  curtail  all  un- 
necessary expenses,  and  take  proper  care  of  his 
earnings,  however  small,  and  he  will  soon  he  as- 
tonished to  find  himself  in  possession  of  all  that 
he  needs  to  supply  his  real  wants.  A wealthy 
merchant  of  ISTew  York,  by  gathering  up  all  the 
Incifer  matches,  which,  from  time  to  time,  were 
wasted  by  his  clerks,  who  were  dependent  upon 
him  too,  for  a support,  always  had  enough  of  that 
article  to  supply  his  own  wants,  without  spending 
a single  farthing. 

“ The  neglect  of  trifles,  as  they  are  called,  is 
suffering  a moth  to  eat  holes  in  your  purse,  and 
let  out  all  the  profits  of  your  industry.  ISTothiug 
is  more  true  than  the  old  proverb,  ‘ That  a penny 
saved,  is  twopence  got.’  When,  therefore,  you 
wrangle  for  a farthing  in  a bargain,  or  refuse  to 
throw  it  away  in  sport,  do  not  let  fools  laugh  you 
out  of  your  economy,  hiit  leave  them  their  jest, 
and  keep  you  your  money.  * * * Men  ought 
to  take  care  of  their  means,  ought  to  use  them 
prudently  and  sparingly,  and  to  keep  their  ex- 


216 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUA^G  MEX. 


penses  always  within  the  bounds  of  their  income, 
he  it  what  it  may.” 

But  again,  if  we  would  he  successful  in  life, 
we  must  avoid  had  company. 

hlothing  which  we  have,  or  can  suggest,  will 
more  certainly  block  up  the  way  of  a young  man, 
and  prevent  him  from  carrying  out  his  worldly 
plans  successfully,  than  for  him  to  keep  had  com- 
pany. It  is  more  or  less  true  in  every  case,  “ that 
a man  is  known  by  the  company  he  keeps.”  He 
may  be  honest  in  his  intentions,  just  in  all  his 
dealings  with  others ; he  may  have  energy,  indus- 
try, and  economy,  and  may  well  understand  the 
business  or  profession  in  which  he  is  engaged; 
yet  if  he  associates  with  men  without  moral  char- 
acter and  standing,  men  of  degraded  habits,  he 
will  accomplish  hut  little  for  himself  or  any  one 
else. 

Some  had  men  endeavor  to  make  othei-s  as  had 
as  themselves,  for  no  other  consideration  than  the 
pleasure  it  atfords  them  to  see  that  others  are  as 
had  as  themselves.  And  if  young  men  associate 
with  such  individuals,  they  are  sure  to  be  brought 
down  on  a level  vdth  them  as  to  standing  in  so- 
ciety. 

“ Once  abandoned  to  their  influence,  you  are 
lost.  They  will  lead  you  from  sin  to  sin,  until 
you  are  as  highly  accomplished  in  the  arts  of  vice 
as  the  worst.  Remember,  that  evil  companions 
will  blight  in  you  the  delicate  flower  of  innocence, 
which  diffuses  itself  around  youth  as  a sweet  per- 


SUCCESS  m LIFE. 


217 


fume.”  We  think  we  are  running  no  risk,  when 
we  say,  that  it  is  impossible  for  a young  man  to 
associate,  for  any  length  of  time,  with  bad  men, 
without  sustaining  more  or  less  injury  as  to  char- 
acter, if  he  is  not  led  into  vice,  which  will  ruin 
his  worldly  prospects.  The  most  dangerous  char- 
acter, perhaps,  to  which  we  could  direct  the  atten- 
tion of  young  men,  is  the  gambler.  In  the  lan- 
guage of  Mr.  Wise,  “ he  has  no  principles  of 
honor  or  integrity,  for  cheating  is  his  trade.  He 
has  no  pity.  His  heart  is  as  adamant.  He  will 
fleece  his  victim  of  the  last  penny  he  has  in  the 
world,  though  he  knows  the  poor  dupe  has  a 
starving  family  at  home,  and  will  either  go  forth 
from  his  den  to  become  a robber,  or  to  rush  un- 
bidden into  the  presence  of  his  God.  He  has  the 
body  of  a man,  but  the  spirit  of  a devil.  It  is 
his  meat  and  his  drink,  to  destroy  and  ruin  his 
fellow-creatures.  Yet  this  is  the  man  who  will 
greet  a young  man  with  smiles  and  flattery ; who 
will  praise  his  skill,  laud  his  courage,  and  predict 
his  success  at  the  gambling-table.  This  is  the 
man  to  whom  silly  youths  surrender  themselves.” 

In  a popular  town,  in  the  midst  of  a wealthy 
community  in  the  State  of  Kentucky,  lived  a 
young  man,  who  had  selected  as  a business,  the 
practice  of  law.  For  a while,  he  was  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him.  And  there  seemed,  for  a 
time,  to  be  every  indication  that  he  would  be  suc- 
cessful and  do  well.  But  soon  it  was  discovered 
that  he  had  selected,  as  his  regular  associates,  the 
19 


218 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


lowest  class  of  people  who  lived  in  the  town. 
He  would  go  to  houses  of  ill  fame  and  equalize  him- 
self with  those  who  were  without  character,  with- 
out standing,  and  without  common  decency  itself. 
And  would,  sometimes,  dissipate  and  carouse  with 
this  class  of  persons  until  a late  hour  at  night. 
As  these  facts  came  to  light  among  the  people,  he 
was  no  longer  respected  by  them.  For  a time 
afterward,  he  attended  the  bar  of  justice  regularly 
as  a jurist,  but  no  one  paid  any  special  attention 
to  him.  Gentlemen  of  his  own  profession  passed 
him  by  in  silence.  And  very  soon  it  might  he 
seen  that  every  respectable  lady  and  gentleman 
were  disposed  to  avoid  his  company  whenever  it 
was  possible  for  them  to  do  so. 

'Whenever  a young  man  begins  to  keep  bad 
company,  he  soon  begins  to  neglect  his  regular 
business.  And  if  this  is  neglected,  it  will  soon 
run  down.  And  besides  this,  as  a young  man  be- 
gins to  fail  in  business,  the  people  begin  to  lose 
confidence  in  him,  and  in  a short  time,  he  will  be 
astonished  to  find  himself  out  of  business  and 
destitute  of  friends.  If  a young  man  associates 
with  the  abandoned  and  licentious,  it  wiU  be  im- 
possible for  him  to  keep  up  the  impression,  in  the 
minds  of  the  people,  that  he  is  a person  of  integ- 
rity. “ By  mixing  with  such  persons,  he  loses  his 
character  and  virtue  too.  For  on  becoming  famil- 
iar with  vice,  te  soon  ceases  to  hate  it,  and  if  he 
ceases  to  hate  it,  he  wiU  learn  both  to  love  and 
practice  it.” 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


219 


Then,  we  say  to  all  young  persons,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  one  who  had  weighed  these  matters  well, 
“ select  for  your  companions,  persons  as  carefully 
educated,  and  as  honestly  disposed  as  yourself ; 
such  as  are  known  and  esteemed ; whose  pursuits 
are  laudable ; whose  lives  are  temperate,  and  whose 
expenses  are  moderate.  With,  spch  companions  as 
these,  you  can  neither  contract  discredit,  nor  de- 
generate into  excess ; you  would  be  a mutual  check 
to  each  other;  and  your  reputation  would  be  so 
established,  that  it  would  be  the  ambition  of  others 
to  be  admitted  members  of  your  society.” 

Again,  energy  and  industry  are  necessary  in 
order  to  success  in  life. 

But  as  much  has  been  said  on  these  two  points 
by  different  writers,  and  as  their  importance,  as 
elements  of  success  in  life,  are  generally  admitted 
by  all  persons,  however  liihited  their  experience 
and  observation,  we  think  it  unnecessary  to  spend 
much  time  in  arguing  the  necessity  of  either. 

If  a young  man  would  reach  any  desirable  end 
in  life,  he  must  expect  first  to  overcome  many 
obstacles,  and  to  grapple  with  many  formidable 
difficulties.  And  if  he  does  not  employ  all  the 
energy  which  he  possesses,  be  is  sure  to  meet 
with  disappointment  at  the  last. 

Men  are  too  much  inclined,  of  late  days,  to 
attribute  their  ill  success  in  life  to  their  misfor- 
tunes, or  to  an  unfavorable  combination  of  cir- 
cumstances ; and  to  argue,  that  if  it  had  not  been 
for  this  or  the  other  “ mishap,”  they  would  have 


220 


LECTUEES  TO  TOTTXG  MEN. 


accomplished  this  or  the  other  desirable  object, 
■when,  really,  the  whole  difficulty  in  their  case  is, 
a want  of  energy.  They  look  around  among 
their  successful  neighbors  and  say,  this  man  is 
the  child  of  fortune;  that  man  has  been  lucky 
all  his  life ; and  of  the  third,  he  has  had  the  most 
favorable  opportunities  to  get  along  in  the  world 
that  could  be  desired;  for  every  plan  that  he  de- 
vises seems  to  work  well,  and  every  thing  to 
which  he  turns  his  hand,  prospers  beyond  all 
expectation ; when,  really,  the  philosophy  of  the 
whole  matter  is,  in  regard  to  those  lucky  or  for- 
tunate individuals,  that  they  are  men  of  untiring 
energy.  Here  lies  the  great  secret  of  their  suc- 
cess. 

“ If  any  young  man  desires  a confirmation  of 
these  ideas,  let  him  carefully  study  the  history  of 
every  man  who  has  'written  his  name  on  the  wall 
of  the  temple  of  fame.  Let  him  view  such  minds 
in  their  progress  toward  greatness.  He  will  see 
them  rising,  step  by  step,  in  the  face  of  stubborn 
difficulties,  which  gave  way  before  them  only  be- 
cause their  courage  would  not  be  daunted,  nor 
their  energy  wearied.  He  will  ffiid  no  exception 
in  the  history  of  mankind.  Supine,  powerless 
souls  have  always  fainted  before  hostile  circum- 
stances, and  sank  beneath  their  opportunities ; 
while  men  of  power  have  wrestled,  with  sublime 
vigor,  against  all  opposing  men  aiid  things,  and 
obtained  success  because  they  would  not  be  de- 
feated.” 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


221 


But  you  sliould  remember  that  energy,  without 
prudence,  may  degenerate  into  rashness,  and  this 
last  may  precipitate  us,  with  all  our  plans,  hopes 
and  prospects,  into  ruin.  Rashness  has  been  the 
ruin  of  thousands  of  individuals  who  were  not 
lacking  for  energy.  They  were  too  hasty.  They 
would  not  give  their  own  thoughts  time  to  ma- 
ture, nor  their  own  plans  and  arrangements  time 
to  work  out,  successfully,  the  object  which  they 
had  in  view.  Such  persons  are  always  grasping 
eagerly  after  the  desired  object  before  they  are  in 
reach  of  it,  and  the  consequence  is,  they  miss 
their  aim.  While  we  struggle  manfully  “ against 
all  opposing  men  and  things,”  with  a determina- 
tion never  to  be  conquered,  or  to  give  up  the 
contest,  we  should  always  act  with  calmness  and 
deliberation. 

It  is  not  always  the  man  who  travels  fastest 
that  will  get  to  his  journey’s  end  soonest.  He 
who  travels  steadily,  and  always  in  the  right 
direction,  is  the  man  who  will  generally  make  the 
“ best  time.”  Said  one  of  the  seven  Glrecian  phi- 
losophers, “ the  more  haste  the  less  speed.”  That 
man  who  is  actuated  in  his  movements  by  the 
mere  impulse  of  the  moment,  without  foresight  or 
proper  regard  to  circumstances,  is  not  apt  to  se- 
cure the  most  desirable  ends  in  life. 

But,  then,  we  are  to  be  industrious  as  well  as 
energetic.  We  should  learn  habits  of  industry  in 
the  days  of  our  youth.  Hundreds  of  persons  let 
the  “prime  of  life”  pass  away  in  idleness,  and, 


222 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


in  their  declining  days  are  under  the  necessity  of 
laboring  and  toiling  for  the  means  of  subsistence ; 
when,  if  they  had  spent  their  younger  days  in 
following,  industriously,  some  trade  or  profession, 
their  latter  days  might  have  been  spent  pleasantly 
to  themselves,  and  profitably  to  others.  The  idler 
never  can  he  a happy  man.  It  is  contrary  to  the 
laws  of  nature  and  the  rules  of  sound  philosophy. 
“ It  is  a law  of  the  human  constitution,  that  man- 
kind shall  find  their  happiness  and  their  develop- 
ment in  action.  And  it  were  as  easy  to  grasp 
the  forked  lightning,  or  to  stay  the  fiery  waves 
of  the  volcano,  as  to  contravene  this  law.” 

The  idea  prevails,  to  a considerable  extent  at 
the  present  day,  among  many  young  men,  that 
labor,  of  any  kind,  is  dishonorable;  and  so  deeply 
is  this  idea  riveted  upon  their  minds,  that  they 
are  ashamed  to  be  found  following  the  plow, 
pushing  the  plane,  or  engaged  in  any  other  labori- 
ous emplojunent.  Such  views  ought  to  he  treated 
with  contempt  by  every  honest  and  industrious 
man ; for  nothing,  it  seems  to  us,  can  he  more 
honorable  than  to  see  him  honestly  following 
some  mechanical,  agricultural,  or  professional 
pursuit,  that  he  may  be  enabled,  thereby,  to  sup- 
ply the  wants  of  himself  and  family.  But  it  is 
unnecessary  to  argue  a point  already  settled  by 
the  voice  of  inspu’ation.  The  language  of  the 
Bible,  as  expi’essed  to  man,  is,  “ Let  him  labor, 
working  with  his  hands  the  thing  which  is  good, 
that  he  may  have  to  give  to  him  that  ueedeth.” 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


223 


Idleness  is  tlae  forerunner  of  shame  and  poverty. 
That  youth,  while  his  parents  care  for  him,  and 
make  provision  for  the  regular  supply  of  his 
wants,  may  not  realize,  at  the  time,  the  necessity 
of  industrious  habits ; hut  when  he  arrives  at  that 
point  where  all  depends  upon  his  own  etforts,  he 
will  feel  the  sad  results  of  indulging  in  habits  of 
idleness.  This  is  forcibly  illustrated  by  the  case 
of  a young  man  who  attended  a course  of  lectures 
at  the  Medical  University  in  the  city  of  Louis- 
ville, some  years  since.  During  the  course  of 
lectures  now  referred  to,  it  was  our  privilege,  most 
of  the  time,  to  be  in  attendance.  This  young  man 
was  the  son  of  wealthy  parents,  who  lived  in  one 
of  the  Southern  States ; and,  we  suppose,  from  his 
conduct  during  the  time  that  we  had  an  opportu- 
nity of  noticing  his  course,  that  he  was  raised  up 
in  idleness.  Be  this  as  it  may,  he  spent  his  time 
in  idleness  during  his  stay  in  Louisville ; at  least 
so  far  as  we  could  see  or  hear,  after  paying  some- 
what particular  attention  to  his  case.  During  lec- 
ture hours  he  might  be  seen  throwing  paper  balls 
at  the  rest  of  the  students,  or  putting  himself  into 
the  most  awkward  positions  that  he  could  possibly 
assume,  that  he  might  attract  their  attention,  and 
cause  them  to  laugh.  And  if  not  thus  employed, 
he  was  out  promenading  the  streets,  or  engaged 
in  some  childish  amusement. 

Be  it  remembered,  too,  that  he  belonged  to  that 
class  of  students  who  expected  to  graduate  at  the 
close  of  the  session.  The  time  for  conferring  the 


224 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


degree  of  M.  D.,  upon  those  who  were  found 
worthy,  soon  arrived ; and  the  amphitheater  was 
crowded  to  ovei’flowing  with  spectators  to  witness 
the  ceremonies.  The  second  class  students,  (those 
who  had  attended  two  courses  of  lectures,)  having 
passed  a creditable  examination  before  the  profes- 
sors of  the  institution,  were  all  in  their  places, 
neatly  dressed,  and  in  fine  spirits.  But  where  is 
our  idler  during  this  time,  who  formerly  belonged 
to  this  class  ? He  sits  just  back  of  his  former 
classmate^,  observed  by  the  entire  audience,  cov- 
ered with  confusion,  his  feelings  deeply  mortified, 
from  the  fact  that  he  had  just  been  rejected  by 
the  unanimous  consent  of  the  medical  faculty,  on 
account  of  his  idleness  during  lecture  hours,  and 
Lis  inattention  to  books  during  the  hours  for  reg- 
ular study.  We  leave  the  young  reader  to  im- 
agine the  feelings  of  this  young  man  on  that 
occasion. 

Here  we  see  the  importance  of  industry,  as  a 
means  of  success  in  life.  While  idleness  leads  to 
poverty,  wretchedness,  and,  generally  to  a life  of 
immorality  and  licentiousness,  industry  leads  to  a 
rich  and  ample  harvest,  as  to  wealth,  and  to  an 
honorable  and  desirable  position  in  the  best  classes 
of  society. 

Finally,  “above  every  thing  else,  you  should  re- 
member, that  success  in  life  is  vitally  connected 
with  your  own  moral  growth  and  improvement, 
by  means  of  patient,  faithful  self-culture.  A man 
has  no  power  hke  power  over  himself.  It  is 


SUCCESS  IN  LIFE. 


225 


power  to  discipline  his  faculties,  to  govern  his 
passions,  to  control  his  tastes,  to  form  his  nature 
to  immortal  excellence  and  joy.  He  can  not  act 
on  the  outer  world  as  on  himself.  Mountains  may 
be  tunnelled,  and  oceans  diminished  to  lakes. 
Inventions  may  apply  all  science,  and  art  may  fill 
the  earth  with  its  triumphs;  but  man  lifts  him- 
self high  above  these  humble  things,  and  rises  to 
the  dignity  of  divine  companionship.  Rich  in  a 
plenitude  of  gifts,  and  commanding  all  the  re- 
sources of  the  universe  to  bless  and  ennoble,  how 
few  feel  that  Omnipotence  waits  at  their  side  to 
attend  them  in  their  ascending  pathway!  The 
saddest  spectacle  of  the  world  is  the  dead  souls 
around  us.  Dead  they  are — dead  in  intellect, 
hope,  heart, — dead  to  humanity,  home,  God.  See 
their  footsteps ! The  grass  withers  and  the  flowers 
perish  before  them.  See  their  foreheads!  The 
sunshine  is  cold  and  pale  upon  them.  The  worms 
of  the  grave  crawl  over  their  hearts,  and  they 
dwell  among  the  habitations  of  death,  as  the  hid- 
eous skeleton  of  men  departed.” 


LECTURE  XI. 


EVIDESrCBS  OF  THE  TRUTH  OF  CHRISTIARHTY. 

If  Christianity  is  founded  upon  a system  of 
truth,  and  is,  therefore,  of  Divine  origin;  we 
should  not  only  believe  in  its  doctrines,  but  live 
in  the  daily  practice  of  its  precepts.  But,  if  it 
is  founded  upon  a well-arranged  system  of  false- 
hoods, we  should  investigate  the  matter,  until  such 
falsehoods  are  discovered,  brought  to  light,  and 
exposed  to  the  view  of  all  men.  We  should 
never  reject  its  claims,  however,  until  we  have  the 
most  positive  evidence  of  its  being  “ a cunningly 
devised  fable,”  And  as  there  has  been  much  la- 
bor, research,  and  close  investigation,  upon  the 
part  of  the  opponents  of  Christianity,  in  the  last 
eighteen  hundred  years,  to  estabhsh  the  latter 
proposition  upon  the  kind  of  evidence  just  named, 
and  as  they  have  thus  far  failed  in  every  attempt 
to  do  so,  with  any  degree  of  satisfaction,  even  to 
themselves,  it  may  be  taken  as  a positive  assur- 
ance that  such  a proposition  never  can  he  estab- 
lished. 

In  fact,  so  many  fruitless  attempts  have  been 
made  to  disprove  the  truth  of  Christianity,  that 
we  are  a little  inclined  to  doubt  the  sincerity  of 
the  man  who  professes  to  disbelieve  its  truth,  and, 
from  that  consideration,  to  reiect  its  claims. 

(226) 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHRISTIANITY.  227 


Among  all  the  subjects  which  have  been,  or 
may  be  presented  to  our  minds,  and  claim  our 
attention,  none  can  be  more  important  than  this. 
For  it  afiects  alike  our  present  and  eternal  well- 
being. All  men,  and  especially  the  young,  should 
have  clear  views,  not  only  of  the  doctrines  of 
Christianity,  hut  of  the  grounds  upon  which  we 
are  under  obligations  to  believe  them. 

For  if  we  are  lacking  upon  either  of  these 
points,  however  well  established  our  own  minds 
may  he  in  regard  to  the  truths  of  Christianity,  as 
revealed  in  the  Bible,  we  shall  be  very  much  an- 
noyed by  those  who  make  it  a point,  whenever 
the  opportunity  offers  itself,  to  endeavor  to  shake 
the  faith  of  all  who  do  not  oppose,  and  abuse 
Christianity  as  they  do. 

If  the  reader  is  not  aware  of  it,  he  should  be, 
that  there  is,  in  almost  every  portion  of  this  coun- 
try, a class  of  men  generally  denominated  infidels, 
or  skeptics,  whose  object  seems  to  be  to  bring 
into  disrepute  the  character  of  Christianity,  of 
its  teachers  and  adherents;  and  are  endeavoring 
to  induce  the  world  to  believe,  that  all  who  pro- 
fess to  be  governed  by  its  pure  precepts,  as  set 
forth  in  the  Bible,  are  a set  of  hypocrites;  that 
they  are  trying  to  deceive  the  people,  that  they 
may  be  able  to  accomplish  some  evil  design. 

The  worst  feature  in  the  case  of  those  who  are 
aiming  to  make  this  false  impression,  is,  that  they 
are  aiming  to  do  so,  not  by  fair  and  logical  rea- 
soning; not  by  any  attempt  upon  their  part  to 


228 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


establish  what  they  say  as  being  true,  for  they 
know  that  this  can  not  be  done,  but  by  attempt- 
ing to  get  all  who  will  listen  to  them,  and  espe- 
cially the  young,  to  believe  that  Christianity  is  a 
system  of  priestcraft,  from  beginning  to  end;  its 
teachers  impostors,  and  their  followers  a bigoted, 
narrow-minded  “set,”  who  deserve  no  confidence 
whatever. 

At  the  same  time,  these  skeptics  claim  to  be 
candid,  liberal  in  their  sentiments,  and  entirely 
free  from  any  thing  hke  prejudice.  They  try  very 
hard  to  make  the  impression  that  their  minds  are 
unbiased  by  any  improper  sentiments,  or  any  self- 
ish feeling.  They  are  so  much  in  the  habit  of 
urging  their  opinions,  and  repeating  their  false 
insinuations,  that  those  who  believe  in  Christianity 
are  very  apt,  if  they  do  not  make  themselves 
familiar  with  the  character  of  such  men,  to  be 
deceived  by  them;  and  will  admit  the  charge 
they  make  against  Christians,  and  their  unjust 
claim  to  candor  and  liberality. 

Never  allow  yourself  to  be  misled  by  this  class 
of  men.  For,  to  say  the  least  of  them,  they  are 
incapable  of  giving  instruction  to  the  young  or  to 
any  one  else,  in  the  great  science  of  Christianity, 
from  the  fact  that  they  have  paid  but  little  atten- 
tion to  it,  and  know  but  little  about  it.  If  you 
will  observe  closely,  you  will  soon  discover  that 
this  class  of  men  have  never  examined  the  evi- 
dences of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion. 
They  are  either  afraid,  or  have  no  inclination  to 


EVIDElSrCES  OP  CHEISTIANITY.  229 


do  so.  And  here  is  the  great  secret  of  their  op- 
position. If  they  would  pay  proper  attention  to 
the  subject,  they  would  soon  see  its  importance  to 
themselves  and  others.  They  would  be  convinced 
that  it  is  of  divine  origin,  would  yield  to  its 
claims,  and  cease  to  oppose.  But  they  seem  to 
dread  the  light  which  might  he  elicited  by  inves- 
tigation, as  the  hooting  night-bird  dreads  the  light 
of  the  midday  sun.  They  carefully  avoid  every 
thing  calculated  to  give  them  correct  views  of 
Christianity,  and  read  and  study  such  books  only 
as  have  a tendency  to  confirm  them  more  fully  in 
the  principles  of  infidelity. 

If  the  subject  was  not  too  grave  in  its  charac- 
ter, one  might  be  amused  to  see  with  what  eager- 
ness they  catch  at  every  thing  which  they  suppose 
will  weaken  confidence  in  the  truth  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion,  and  establish  the  false  positions 
which  they  have  assumed. 

Very  few  of  the  class  of  men,  here  referred  to, 
may  be  said  to  he  men  of  intellectual  and  acquired 
abilities.  A large  majority  of  them  are  quite  des- 
titute of  general  information.  “ The  grounds  on 
which  skeptics  build  their  disbelief  of  Christianity 
are  commonly  very  slight.  The  number  is  com- 
paratively few  whose  opinions  are  the  result  of 
any  tolerable  degree  of  investigation.”  It  is  that 
class  of  infidels,  too,  who  know  the  least,  who 
generally  make  the  greatest  noise,  and  do  the 
most  harm. 

They  seem  to  delight  in  doing  all  in  their  power 


230 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


to  counteract  the  efforts  which  are  made  to  dis- 
seminate the  pure  principles  of  Christianity  among 
the  people,  and  to  destroy  its  influence  upon  their 
minds.  And  when  they  fail,  as  they  generally  do 
among  those  who  are  tolerably  well-informed, 
they  seem  to  get  out  of  humor,  and  to  become 
disgusted  at  the  conduct  of  all  who  will  not  be- 
lieve and  act  as  they  do.  Such  men  very  rarely 
make  an  attack  upon  those  who  have  investigated 
the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  and  are 
prepared  thereby  to  defend  themselves.  They 
know  too  well  the  result  which  may  he  looked  for 
in  such  cases.  Their  efforts  most  commonly  refer 
to  the  young  who  have  had  but  little  time  and  but 
few  opportunities  to  qualify  themselves  to  resist  the 
influence  of  their  false  and  dangerous  doctrines. 

We  well  remember  an  instance  in  our  own  his- 
tory, which  may  serve  to  illustrate  the  truth  of 
this  last  statement. 

When  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  having 
been  a member  of  the  church,  and  a professor  of 
religion  for  several  years,  we  were  in  the  habit 
of  visiting,  quite  frequently,  the  family  of  a gentle- 
man who  lived  but  a mile  or  so  from  where  we 
were  raised.  He  was  a professed  infidel  in  his 
notions,  and  seemed  to  hate  the  Bible  “with  a 
cruel  hatred,”  and  did  all  that  he  could,  from  time 
to  time,  to  shake  our  confidence  in  the  Chris- 
tian religion.  We  now  look  back  and  remember, 
with  horror,  the  profane  language  which  he  used, 
the  pains  which  he  took,  and  the  time  he  spent  in 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  231 


trying  to  infuse  into  our  minds  the  poison  of  infi- 
delity. But  we  rejoice  in  our  hearts  that  he  failed 
to  accomplish  his  wicked  design. 

And  now  will  the  young  reader  believe  it  when 
he  is  told  that  this  gentleman,  though  some  forty 
years  of  age,  could  not  read  the  Bible,  and  that 
he  was  comparatively  a stranger  to  the  doctrines 
of  Christianity,  as  taught  therein?  These  are  hut 
the  facts  in  his  case.  He  stayed  away  from  all 
places  of  public  worship,  except  when  he  occasion- 
ally went  as  a matter  of  curiosity  to  himself.  He 
carefully  avoided  every  thing  calculated  to  in- 
spire the  mind  with  proper  sentiments  in  regard 
to  the  Christian  religion. 

How  many  young  men,  just  at  this  period  in 
their  history  have  been  ruined  by  the  pernicious 
example  and  infiuence  of  just  such  men!  These 
are  the  men,  who,  most  of  all,  should  be  dreaded, 
and  their  movements  watched  by  the  young  men 
of  this  country.  They  may  point  you  to  that 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  to  the  conduct  of  this 
member  of  the  church.  They  may  abuse,  in  un- 
. measured  terms,  this  and  the  other  doctrine 
taught  in  the  Bible.  But  we  say  to  all  young 
men,  keep  your  eye  steadily  fixed  upon  that  man, 
and  guard  well  against  his  influence,  who,  in  the 
middle  of  the  nineteenth  century,  when  revelation, 

! science,  and  all  nature  are  throwing  their  unmis- 
takable light  upon  his  pathway,  calls  in  question 
the  truth  of  revealed  religion.  That  religion 
which  has  given  comfortable  hope  to  thousands 


232 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


and  millions  in  the  extremes  of  misfortune  and  in 
the  dying  hour,  and  is  destined  finally  to  enlighten 
and  save  the  world.  Tor  their  object  is  to  lead  you 
along,  step  by  step,  in  the  lahyrinthian  path  of  un- 
belief, until  you  have  adopted  their  sentiments,  and 
are  confirmed  in  the  principles  of  infidelity. 

And  if  they  should  succeed  in  their  attempt, 
how  wretched  would  he  your  condition?  "We 
might  then  exclaim,  in  the  language  of  Smith, 
“ Is  this  a spectacle  which  it  is  possible  for  any 
human  being  to  behold  with  indilference  ? A 
young  man  standing  on  the  threshhold  of  life,  and 
just  going  into  all  the  business  of  the  world,  with 
a heart  in  which  every  principle  of  right  and 
wrong  is  thoroughly  shaken  and  impau’ed.  If  not 
destined  for  great  offices  in  life,  yet  he  is  a brother, 
a son,  a friend ; he  is  to  be  a husband  and  a father 
of  children ; some  must  trust  him,  and  some  must 
love  him.  Call  it  bigotry,  and  cover  these  notions 
with  mockery  and  derision ; hut  I say  it  would  he 
better  for  this  young  man,  that  the  work  of  death 
were  going  on  within  him,  that  the  strength  and 
the  roses  of  his  youth  were  fading  away,  and  that 
he  were  wasting  down  to  the  tombs  of  his  ances- 
tors, wept  by  his  friends,  and  pitied  by  the  world.” 

'Whatever  may  he  thought  of  this  language,  by 
others,  we  have  no  doubt  as  to  the  correctness  of 
the  position  here  assumed  by  the  author. 

It  has  long  been  to  us  a matter  of  astonishment, 
why  any  reflecting  man  should  he  opposed  to  the 
doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion.  F or  if  its  prin- 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  233 


ciples  are  founded  upon  a system  of  falsehoods 
throughout,  in  its  practical  influence  and  flnal  re- 
sults, it  can  not  in  the  least  injure  its  adherents, 
however  strictly  its  precepts  may  he  obeyed. 

What  does  Christianity  purpose?  It  flnds  man 
in  ignorance,  trying  to  feel  his  way,  as  it  Avere,  in 
the  darkness  of  error  and  superstition.  He  is  ig- 
norant alike  of  his  origin,  present  condition,  and 
future  destiny.  Infidelity,  with  all  its  boasted 
wisdom,  leaves  him  in  the  dark.  But  Christian- 
ity bursts  asunder  the  involving  clouds  of  dark- 
ness and  reveals  man  to  himself.  It  finds  him  in 
pursuit  of  happiness,  seeking  for  something  that 
will  remove  the  burden  from,  and  impart  peace 
to  his  troubled  mind.  He  has  sought  for  it  in 
wealth,  Avorldly  fame,  honor,  the  friendship  of  the 
world,  and  in  the  society  of  the  great  and  the 
Avise,  hut  all  in  vain.  Here,  again,  infidelity  ofters 
no  relief,  points  to  no  remedy.  But  Christianity 
i directs  him  to  a fountain  Avhere  sin  may  be  washed 
I away,  to  a power  which  will  remove  the  burden 
from  his  mind,  and  now  he  is  at  peace  with  his 
I Creator,  with  himself,  and  with  all  the  world 
> beside. 

j It  finds  him  in  a world  of  affliction,  A^exation, 

' disappointment  and  sorroAV,  without  a single  ray 
. of  hope  as  to  the  future.  And  if  he  appeals  to 
’■.infidelity  in  his  misfortunes,  it  points  him  to  mo- 
rality, to  a set  of  rules  without  authority,  and,  to 
say  the  least  of  them,  doubtful  in  their  pi’actical 
influence  and  tendency.  And  when  he  looks  to 
20 


234 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


the  end  of  his  journey,  all  is  still,  dark  and  gloomy. 
But  Christianity  throws  its  light  beyond  the  dark- 
ness of  the  tomb,  and  draws  aside  the  vail  that 
intervenes  between  us  and  the  invisible  world,  and 
all  is  as  light  as  day.  It  says,  “ bear  with  patience 
and  fortitude  the  evils  which  may  for  a time  af- 
flict you.  Walk  in  my  ways  of  pleasantness  and 
peace,  and  soon  you  shall  live  where  death  never 
comes,  and  where  you  shall  enjoy  unalloyed  hap- 
piness forever.” 

We  ask,  then,  in  view  of  these  facts,  why  op- 
pose Christianity?  For  if  its  promises  all  fail  in 
regard  to  the  future,  it  certainly  betters  the  con- 
dition of  man  in  this  life,  in  every  sense  of  the 
word.  Infldelity  says,  that  Christianity  is  a fable, 
without  giving  you  the  slightest  evidence  of  the 
truth  of  such  a declaration,  and  at  the  same  time, 
makes  no  promise  which  reaches  beyond  the  pre- 
sent state  of  existence.  But  Christianity  elevates 
man’s  condition  here,  both  in  a temporal  and 
spiritual  point  of  view,  reveals  to  him  the  joys  of 
a future  world,  and  promises  more  than  the  mind, 
with  its  present  limited  information  can  conceive 
of.  “ Which,”  then,  “ is  the  more  commendable 
and  noble,  to  believe  in  Christianity  without  proof, 
or  to  disbelieve  in  it  without  proof?  A modest 
coincidence  with  received  opinions,  above  our  fac- 
ulties, or  an  affected  contempt  of  them?  ^ ^ 

And,”  we  ask,  “ if  it  is  not  afflicting  to  behold 
that  depraved  appetite  for  misery  and  despair 
which  induces  men  to  yield  up  their  assent  to  a 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  235 


system  of  incredulity,  without  being  acquainted 
in  the  smallest  degree  with  the  reasons  on  which 
it  is  founded.” 

INo  man  should  oppose  Christianity,  or  seek  to 
undermine  its  influence,  though  he  may  not  believe 
its  teachings.  For  in  so  doing,  he  is  resisting  the 
force  of  evidence,  where  there  is  every  reason  that 
he  shoxxld  he  convinced.  He  ought  to  rejoice  when 
he  flnds  himself  thoroughly  routed  and  refuted ; 
that  some  one  has  at  last  convinced  him  of  his 
error,  and  showed  him  a better  way. 

Let  all  young  persons  remember  that  the  path 
traveled  by  infidels  is  truly  dark  and  rugged.  In- 
fidelity fills  the  mind  with  doubts  and  the  most 
gloomy  apprehensions,  has  nothing  good  to  confer 
upon  us  at  present,  and  leaves  us  in  despair,  be- 
cause it  can  promise  us  nothing  which  relates  to 
the  futui’e.  The  future  is  shrouded  in  darkness 
do  the  mind  of  that  man,  who  has  closed  his  eyes 
I against  the  light  of  revelation.  It  is  all  a mys- 
tery to  his  mind,  and  must  remain  so  as  long  as 
he  remains  in  unbelief. 

The  object  which  we  have  in  view,  then,  in 
presenting  for  your  consideration,  a few  of  the 
, plain  evidences  of  the  truth  of  Chi’istianity,  is  to 
convince  you  that  the  reverse  of  this  is  true  when 
applied  to  the  Christian  religion.  And  now,  if 
your  mind  is  already  tinged  with  the  poison  of 
infidelity,  if  you  are,  to  some  extent,  prejudiced 
against  Christianity  as  a system  of  divine  revela- 
tion, or  against  any  of  its  doctrines,  if  those  against 


236 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


whose  influence  we  wish  to  guard  yon,  have,  in 
any  degree,  induced  you  to  disbelieve  the  teach- 
ings of  the  Bible,  we  hope  that,  while  you  read 
what  follows  on  this  subject,  you  will  lay  all  such 
things  aside,  that  you  will  examine  carefully  what 
is  said,  and  be  fully  prepared,  when  through,  to 
give  a correct  decision. 

We  notice  flrst,  as  evidence  of  its  truth,  that 
Christianity  sets  forth  nothing  which  is  contrary 
to  the  teachings  of  nature,  or  of  natural  history,  or 
to  any  principle  of  natural  science  or  philosophy. 

Let  us  examine  this  proposition  briefly,  but  care- 
fully. We  take  the  ground  that  the  Author  of 
nature  is,  also,  the  author  of  revelation.  But  if 
there  is  a want  of  agreement  between  the  book  of 
nature,  as  it  is  called,  and  the  Bible,  our  position 
would  be  wrong.  But  we  contend  that  no  such  a 
disagreement  has  been,  or  can  be  found,  and  that, 
therefore,  our  position  is  right.  If  you  were  to 
discover  in  your  observations  of  natural  things, 
something  in  the  nature,  disposition,  or  movements 
of  animate  or  inanimate  beings  which  positively 
contradicts  some  plain  declaration  of  the  Bible, 
you  might  then  begin  to  doubt.  But  you  may  look 
in  vain  for  such  a contradiction.  Infldelity  has 
already  tried  its  strength  upon  this  proposition  by 
searching  nature,  history,  and  science,  but  as  yet, 
they  are  unable  to  find  one  single  contradiction. 
That  page  of  history  is  yet  to  be  written,  and  that 
discovery  in  science  is  yet  to  be  made,  which  will 
bring  to  light  some  fact,  about  which,  the  inspired 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHRISTIANITY.  237 


authors  of  the  Bible  were  mistaken,  when  they 
made  their  declaration  in  regard  to  it. 

We  will  illustrate  this  point  more  fully.  It  is 
said  in  the  Book  of  Psalms,  “ Thou  makest  dark- 
ness, and  it  is  night,  wherein  all  the  beasts  of  the 
forest  do  creep  forth.  The  young  lions  roar  after 
their  prey,  and  seek  their  meat  from  God.  The 
sun  ariseth,  they  gather  themselves  together,  and 
lay  them  down  in  their  dens.  Man  goeth  forth 
to  his  labor,”  etc.  And  do  the  beasts  creep  forth 
at  night?  Do  the  young  lions  roar  after  their 
prey  ? And  when  the  sun  “ ariseth,”  do  they 
gather  themselves  together  in  their  dens.  If  not, 
the  Bible  is  at  fault,  from  the  fact,  that  its  authors 
have  made  declarations  in  regard  to  the  habits  of 
animals,  which  are  at  variance  with  the  facts  in 
the  case.  But  if  the  habits  of  these  animals  are 
such  as  are  here  described,  there  is  no  disagree- 
ment between  the  declaration  of  the  Psalmist,  and 
the  plainest  declarations  of  profane  historians. 

Well,  we  remark  here,  that  every  incidental  al- 
lusion to  natural  things,  upon  the  part  of  the  sa- 
cred writers,  has  been,  from  time  to  time,  carefully 
and  critically  examined  by  infidels,  to  see  if  they 
could  discover  any  thing  which  fails  to  correspond 
I with  facts  now  admitted  by  all.  But,  as  already 
remarked,  no  such  discovery  has  ever  been  made. 
And  we  defy  the  infidel  world,  not  only  to  show, 
but  to  find  a single  instance  of  the  kind.  ISTow 
we  are  aware  that  it  may  be  said,  that  there  is 
nothing  extraordinary  in  giving  a correct  account 


238 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


of '^things  with  which  the  mind  is  perfectly  fam- 
iliar, and,  therefore,  it  is  not  strange  that  the 
sacred  writers,  in  alluding  to  natural  things,  have 
made  no  mistakes.  But  we  ask,  is  it  so  with 
other  writers  of  natural  history?  We  answer, 
that  it  is  not  so  in  any  case  whatever.  And  you 
have  but  to  examine  the  writings  of  profane  au- 
thors, who  professed  and  really  desired  to  give  a 
plain  detail  of  facts  in  regard  to  things  with  which 
they  were  acquainted,  to  realize  the  truth  of  this 
statement. 

And  how  will  infidelity  account  for  the  differ- 
ence, in  this  respect,  between  sacred  and  profane 
authors  ? It  can  be  accounted  for  in  but  one  way, 
and  that  is,  one  class  wrote  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  an  infinitely- wise  Being,  and  the  other 
did  not. 

There  is,  also,  an  exact  agreement  between  the 
teachings  of  Christianity  and  natural  science. 
And  to  our  minds,  this  is  irresistible  evidence  of 
its  truth.  And  we  particularly  wish  the  young 
reader  to  pay  special  attention  to  the  investigation 
of  this  proposition. 

At  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century,  all  the 
sciences  were  arrayed  against  Christianity.  The 
object  was,  to  show  that  the  sacred  writers  had 
set  forth,  as  being  true,  that  which  is  false,  ac-, 
cording  to  well-established  principles,  in  the  dif- 
ferent branches  of  natui’al  science.  Well,  if  they 
had  succeeded  in  this  undertaking,  it  would  have 
been  positive  proof  that  the  authors  of  the  Bible 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHETSTIANITY.  239 


were  not  inspired  men.  Infidelity  was  wide  awake, 
and  all  its  votaries  busily  engaged,  and  were  de- 
termined, if  possible,  to  demonstrate  beyond  a 
doubt,  and  that,  too,  upon  scientific  principles, 
that  the  Bible  was  at  fault.  From  the  fact,  as 
they  said,  that  declarations  are  made  therein, 
which  contradict  some  of  the  plainest  facts 
brought  to  light  by  scientific  investigation,  now 
read  and  known  by  all  men.  For  awhile,  it 
seemed  that  victory  would  perch  upon  their  ban- 
ners. And  the  chant  of  triumph  might  already 
be  heard  along  the  ranks  of  infidelity.  There 
was  a general  jubilee  among  all  the  opposers  and 
haters  of  Christianity. 

But  their  day  of  jubilee,  with  its  disgusting 
ceremonies,  was  a premature  affair.  For  scarcely 
had  the  sound  of  the  first  shouts  of  victory  died 
away  in  the  distance,  before  another  flash  of  light 
from  the  temple  of  science  revealed  the  absolute 
absurdity  of  every  position  which  had  been  as- 
sumed by  the  advocates  of  infidelity.  For,  be  it 
remembered,  that  the  advocates  of  Christianity 
were  not  idle  spectators  of  the  movements  that 
were  being  made  by  the  infidel  at  this  time. 
They  were  preparing  to  meet  those  who  were 
trying  to  undermine  one  of  the  strong  holds  of 
:he  Christian  religion,  upon  their  own  ground, 
lind  to  show  that  they  had  set  forth  as  facts  in 
science,  that  which  was  false  to  all  intents  and 
ourpose. 

' Having  investigated  these  matters  to  their  sat- 


240 


LECTURES  TO  TOUNG  MEN. 


isfaction,  the  teachers  of  religion  came  forth  with 
the  Bible  in  one  hand,  and  the  book  of  science 
in  the  other,  and  challenged  the  infidel  world  to 
come  forward  and  show  wherein  one  was  at  vari- 
ance with  the  other.  The  strongest,  and  those 
best  acquainted  with  the  developments  of  science, 
in  the  ranks  of  infidelity,  were  sent  forth  to  point 
out  this  difierence,  if  such  difference  could  be 
found.  But  all  to  no  purpose.  Bor  it  soon  be- 
came manifest  that  infidelity  had  made  another 
“glorious”  failure.  Infidels  themselves  soon  dis- 
covered that  their  geological,  chemical,  and  astro- 
nomical investigations  had  all  been  in  vain,  and 
worse  than  vain.  Bor  they  saw  that  the  adherents 
of  Christianity  had  turned  them  all  to  their  own 
advantage,  by  showing  that  every  new  discovery 
made  by  scientific  investigation  was  hut  another 
evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion. 

That  the  young  reader  ma}’’  have  an  idea  of  the 
turns  which  are  sometimes  taken  against  Chris- 
tianity by  its  opponents,  we  will  give  a simple 
illustration  of  what  has  just  been  said. 

It  is  said  in  the  Bible,  substantially,  that  Josh- 
ua, upon  a certain  occasion,  commanded  the  sun 
to  stand  still,  that  he  might  have  time  to  accom- 
plish, more  fully,  the  design  of  that  Being,  in 
whose  service  he  was  engaged.  It  is  said,  also, 
that  the  sun  obeyed  the  command,  and  stood  still. 

Well,  a few  years  since,  infidel  astronomers, 
from  this  circumstance,  endeavored  to  show  that 
Joshua  was  a fool  or  something  worse,  as  evinced 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  241 


by  bis  giving  tins  command.  “For,”  said  they, 
“it  is  evident  from  astronomical  investigation, 
tbat  the  sun  has  been  stationary  in  the  heavens 
ever  since  it  was  first  placed  there  by  the  fiat  of 
Jehovah.  And,  therefore,  Joshua  could  not  have 
been  an  inspired  man,  for  as  such,  he  could  not 
have  made  such  a gross  mistake.” 

For  awhile,  this  proposition  seemed  to  be  un- 
answerable. And  to  many,  it  was  conclusive  evi- 
dence that  Joshua,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  sacred 
writers  had  combined  together  to  impose  upon 
the  rest  of  mankind.  In  the  mean  time  the  lamp 
of  science  was  still  shining  with  a brilliant  light, 
throwing  its  rays  more  directly  upon  every  object 
in  the  natural  world. 

And  by  this  light,  Christian,  as  well  as  infidel 
astronomers,  soon  made  the  discovery  that  the 
sun  does  move  upon  its  own  axis,  and  controls,  in 
its  movements,  the  entire  solar  system.  That,  in 
i other  words,^it  is  the  great  wheel,  in  the  ma- 
chinery of  our  solar  system,  by  which  an  all-wise 
Being  moves  all  the  rest.  And  now,  when  we 
remember  that  Joshua  did  not  understand  the 
principles  of  astronomy,  as  taught  and  understood 
at  the  present  day,  and  yet,  that  in  referring  to 
things  pertaining  to  that  science,  he  spake  with 
philosophical  accuracy  when  he  said  to  the  sun 
stand  still;  how  can  we  come  to  any  other  con- 
elusion  than  that  his  mind,  at  the  time,  was  con- 
trolled by  the  direct  agency  of  that  Being  who  is 


familiar  with  the  existence  and  move- 


21 


242 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


ments  of  every  tiling  in  the  universe?  It  seems 
to  us  that  there  is  no  possible  chance  to  resist 
the  force  of  this  conclusion,  or  to  show  that  it  is 
incorrect.  Infidels  themselves  have  long  since 
abandoned  the  ground,  in  regard  to  this  matter, 
which  they  once  assumed  with  such  an  air  of 
triumph. 

The  illustration  which  we  have  given  will  hold 
good,  not  only  in  the  science  of  astronomy,  hut  in 
every  particular  branch  of  science  that  might  be 
named.  So  much  so,  that  whenever  any  man  of 
science  starts  out  to  make  some  new  discovery 
in  nature ; to  see  if  there  is  not  some  spot 
unexplored,  or  some  principle,  the  character  of 
which  is  not  fully  understood,  you  may  confi 
dently  look  for  the  development  of  some  fact 
which  will  more  fully  estabhsh  the  truth  of  the 
Christian  religion. 

If  you  will  take  up  a hook  which  treats  of 
science,  you  will  find  almost  an  endless  variety 
of  mistakes.  Take,  for  example,  a work  on  chem- 
istry; and  if  it  has  been  published  over  two  or 
three  years,  you  will  find  that  nearly  one-half  the 
statements  which  it  contains  have  been  demon- 
strated to  he  wrong  by  more  recent  and  reliable 
investigations. 

But  while  this  is  true  of  all  other  books,  it  is 
not  true  of  the  Bible.  There  are  copies  of  this 
hook  which  we  knoio  to  he  a hundred  years  old. 
We  know,  also,  that  it  contains  history,  natural 
and  mental  philosophy,  chemistry  and  astronomy. 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  243 


And  yet,  after  the  most  critical  examination  of  all 
its  parts,  from  beginning  to  end,  and  that,  too,  by 
those  who  despised  its  teachings,  no  mistake,  as 
to  doctrines  or  science,  has  ever  been  found.  And 
yet  we  are  bound  to  admit,  from  facts  which  are 
indisputable,  that  there  is  more  learning  and  scien- 
tific knowledge  at  the  present  day  than  there  was 
a century  ago.  Now,  in  view  of  these  facts,  we 
ask,  why  is  it  that  men  can  not  be  as  accurate 
now  in  what  they  write  as  they  were  who  wrote 
the  Bible?  The  facilities  afirbrded  for  acquiring 
knowledge  at  the  present  day,  are  equal  to  those 
of  any  other  period;  and  men  are  naturally  as 
honest  now  as  they  ever  were.  Why,  then,  do 
we  find  such  a variety  of  mistakes  in  all  their 
writings?  There  can  be  but  one  correct  answer 
given  to  this  important  question,  and  that  is, 
those  who  wrote  the  Bible  were  directed  by  in- 
finite wisdom  what  to  say,  and  how  to  say  it,  while 
those  who  write  at  the  present  day  have  no  such 
direction. 

We  notice,  in  the  next  place,  as  evidence  of 
the  truth  of  Christianity,  that  men  of  the  high- 
; est  order  of  talents,  whose  minds  are  well  stored 
with  literary  and  scientific  knowledge,  have,  after 
1 close  investigation  of  the  subject,  acknowledged 
its  truth. 

; This  is  true,  not  only  of  practical  believers  in 
! Christianity,  but  of  those,  also,  who  pay  but  little 
attention  to  its  precepts. 

' Now,  this  may  not  strike  the  mind  of  the  young 


244 


LECTURES  TO  TOUXG  ME^S". 


reader  as  it  does  ours;  for  we  must  acknowledge 
that  we  can  find  no  way  by  which  we  can  resist 
its  influence  upon  our  minds.  Look,  for  instance, 
at  those  who,  in  their  sentiments  and  feelings,  are 
favorable  to  Christianity.  They  are  men,  many 
of  them,  of  unblemished  characters  in  society. 
ISTo  one  would,  for  a moment,  call  in  question  the 
truth  of  any  declaration  which  they  might  make 
affecting  their  temporal  interest.  They  have  been 
tried  at  every  point,  on  various  occasions,  and 
under  different  circumstances,  and  have  proved 
themselves  to  he  men,  not  only  of  sound  judg- 
ment, but  of  honest  hearts.  They  are  capable  of 
deciding  correctly  any  question  which  may  be 
presented  to  their  minds,  and  can  tell  immediately 
on  which  side  the  weight  of  evidence  lies.  In  a 
word,  they  are  men  of  deep  learning,  patient  re- 
search, and  of  historical  and  scientific  informa- 
tion ; and  yet  they  tell  us,  that  after  close  investi- 
gation of  all  that  has  been  presented  to  their 
minds,  both  for  and  against  the  truth  of  Chris- 
tianity, they  are  perfectly  satisfied  that  it  is  divine 
in  its  origin. 

How,  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  conceive  how  these 
men  can  be  entirely  honest  in  their  declarations 
and  decisions  about  other  things,  and  intention- 
ally misrepresent  the  case  in  matters  of  more  im- 
portance to  themselves  and  others.  In  fact,  we 
are  hound  to  believe  that  they  are  not  only  honest, 
but  correct  in  their  decisions.  And  if  these  things 
are  so,  they  speak  loudly  in  favor  of  the  reception 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  245 


of  Christianity,  as  a system  of  divine  truth,  upon 
the  part  of  every  individual. 

Furthermore,  upon  this  point,  among  those  who 
make  no  pretensions  to  the  practice  of  religion, 
in  any  shape  or  form,  we  hear  the  same  decision ; 
men,  too,  who  feel  no  interest  in  its  behalf,  and 
have  no  desire  for  it  to  prosper  on  the  one  hand, 
or  to  be  checked  in  its  progress  on  the  othei\  If, 
then,  men  of  the  most  cultivated  minds,  fully  able 
to  investigate  this  subject  thoroughly,  and  to  view 
it  in  all  its  bearings,  have  decided  that  Christian- 
ity is  no  cunningly-devised  fable,  what  shall  we 
say  of  those  who  still  refuse  to  believe?  We  must 
say  that  they  manifest  a degree  of  inconsistency 
that  can  be  found  nowhere  else.  For  they  can 
believe  men  to  be  honest  in  their  business  trans- 
actions, honest  in  polities,  honest  in  all  their  pre- 
tensions and  movements  before  the  world,  where 
there  is  much  to  induce  them  to  be  otherwise, 
and  can  believe  them  to  be  dishonest,  where  their 
highest  and  best  interests  go  to  show  that  they 
should  be  perfectly  honest. 

How,  let  the  young  reader  weigh  candidly  what 
I has  been  said  upon  this  point,  and  especially  the 
i sentiment  contained  in  the  last  paragraph,  and  he 
’ will  see  how  unreasonable  are  many  of  the  posi- 
tions assumed  by  professed  infidels, 
f Another  evidence  of  the  truth  of  Christianity, 

I which  we  will  notice  before  we  close  this  lecture, 

I is  that  infidels,  after  all  their  efforts,  have  failed 
to  establish  any  thing  to  the  contrary. 

1. 

i 


246 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


For  more  than  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty  years, 
the  infidel  world  has  been  trying  to  prove  that  the 
inspired  authors  of  the  Kew  Testament  were  a set 
of  impostors,  and  theh  doctrines  and  precepts  a 
forgery.  And,  at  the  present  day,  the  probability 
of  success,  in  this  undertaking,  is  a thousandfold 
less  than  when  they  first  made  the  attempt.  In 
fact,  there  are  so  many  circumstances,  so  many 
incontestable  facts,  which  go  to  establish  the  truth 
of  what  is  said  in  the  Hew  Testament  scriptures, 
that  men,  as  a general  thing,  are  becoming  quite 
careless  about  the  investigation  of  any  thing  where 
the  object  is  to  prove  the  contrary. 

Infidels  have  had  sufficient  time  and  oppor- 
tunities, if  it  was  possible  for  it  to  he  done,  to 
show  that  Christianity  is  false,  in  all  its  preten- 
sions, from  beginning  to  end.  But  history,  science, 
reason  and  experience  are  all  against  them,  and 
boldly  declare  all  the  time,  notwithstanding  that 
they  have  been  abused,  twisted  and  tortured  by 
the  advocates  of  infidelity,  that  Christianity  is  of 
God.  It  matters  not  to  what  source  infidelity  may 
look  to  find  something  to  support  their  sinking 
cause,  and  to  enable  them  to  carry  their  point, 
they  are  sure  to  meet  with  disappointment. 

“ The  loftiest  pretensions  of  learning  and  phi- 
losophy, the  most  malignant  arts  of  wit,  satire, 
scurrility  have  heeti  emploj^ed  against  the  Chris- 
tian religion  in  vain.  What  malevolent  eflort 
has  been  put  forth  for  its  annihilation?  Kings, 
and  emperors,  and  generals,  philosophers,  states- 


EVIDENCES  OF  CHRISTIANITY.  247 


men  and  legislators  have  all  aimed  at  its  extirpa- 
tion.” And  have  tried,  in  vain,  to  pull  down  the 
strong  pillars  which  support  the  noble  and  lofty 
fabric  of  Christianity;  but  they  have  found  it  to 
be  immovable;  and  the  infidel  world  may  try 
again  and  again,  and  still  they  will  fail;  for  it  is 
founded  upon  truth,  and  that  truth  shall  never 
fail  while  time  itself  endures. 

Let  it  be  remembered,  too,  that  among  those 
who  have  so  violently  opposed  Christianity,  are  to 
be  found  men  of  intelligence,  general  information, 
and  of  extensive  investigation.  Men,  too,  of  sound 
judgment,  deep  thought,  and  keen  penetration. 
These  men,  having  neglected  the  evidences  of 
Christianity,  have  bent  all  their  energies  against 
its  claims.  It  would  really  seem  that  if  Chris- 
tianity was  at  fault,  that  such  men  would  surely 
make  the  discovery.  As  belonging  to  the  class 
of  men  just  described,  we  may  name  Diderot,  the 
Drench  philosopher,  Morgan,  Tindal,  Gibbon,  Vol- 
taire, Hobbs,  Bolingbroke,  Hume,  Rousseau  and 
Thomas  Paine. 

These  men,  justly  celebrated  for  their  learning, 
ingenuity,  and  talents,  put  forth  their  best  eftbrts, 
and  spent  their  lives  in  trying  to  show  that  Chris- 
tianity was  a deep-laid  scheme  to  impose  upon  the 
credulity  of  the  human  family,  but  failed  entirely, 
after  putting  forth  all  their  strength.  They,  with 
thousands  more  of  the  adversaries  of  the  Christian 
religion,  have  long  since  been  entombed,  and  many 
of  them  forgotten,  but  still  the  religion  of  the 


248 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUJSfG  MEY. 


Bible  continues  to  flourisb,  and  from  present  indi- 
cations, its  prospects  to  spread  throughout  the 
world  were  never  more  flattering  than  at  the  pre- 
sent time. 

And  now,  young  reader,  in  view  of  what  has 
been  said,  how  can  you  come  to  any  other  conclu- 
sion than  that  the  Christian  religion  is  divine  in 
its  origin?  We  have  seen  that  history,  science, 
and  learning,  as  well  as  the  ingenuity  of  distin- 
guished philosophers,  have  heen  tested  to  the  ut- 
most of  their  strength,  to  see  if  some  fact  could 
not  he  brought  to  light  to  silence  the  advocates 
of  the  truth  of  Christianity;  hut  nothing  of  the 
kind  has  ever  yet  been  found.  “ There  is  not,  in 
all  the  world,  a single  particle  of  evidence  against 
the  claim  of  Christianity  to  be  divine  in  its  origin.” 
W e close  this  lecture  in  the  language  of  the  poet : 


“ What  none  can  prove  a forgery  may  be  true ; 
"What  none  hut  had  men  wish  exploded,  must.’ 


LECTUEE  XII. 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  KEVELATION. 

In  the  lecture  which  precedes  this,  our  remarks 
were  somewhat  general.  This  could  not  well  be 
avoided,  as  we  wished  to  embrace  in  our  remarks 
several  ideas  which  could  not  well  be  arranged 
under  any  separate  or  distinct  proposition.  This 
we  will  avoid,  as  well  as  we  can,  in  the  present 
lecture. 

Christianity,  as  a system,  stands  or  falls  with  the 
Bible.  Hence  we  design  noticing,  in  this  lecture, 
some  of  the  evidences  that  the  Bible  is  a revela- 
tion of  the  will  of  God.  This  has  long  been  a 
contested  point  between  Christians  and  infidels, 
the  Christian  maintaining  that  those  who  wrote 
the  Bible,  were  inspired  men,  while  infidels  con- 
tend that  they  were  not.  In  other  words,  the  in- 
fidel contends  that  there  is  not  sufficient  evidence 
of  the  truth  of  the  Bible  to  justify  any  man  in  be- 
lieving it  to  be  a revelation  from  God,  or  in  ad- 
hering strictly  to  its  teachings.  We  think  differ- 
ently, and  shall  try  to  prove  the  contrary,  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  reader. 

The  Bible,  notwithstanding  the  scoffs  of  infidel- 
ity, seems  to  have  such  clear  evidence  of  its  truth, 
is  so  well  corroborated  by  ancient  profane  histo- 
rians, and  is  so  fully  established  by  various  cir- 
cumstances in  the  world,  that  if  we  did  not  now 
believe  in  its  truth,  we  should  be  compelled  to  be- 
lieve in  it  after  an  examination  of  the  evidences 
of  that  truth.  And  we  can  not  see  how  any  man 
can  disbelieve,  after  such  an  examination,  unless 
he  is  determined  not  to  believe,  although  he  may 
(249) 


250 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


find  the  most  positive  evidence  of  his  error,  in  re- 
fusing to  do  so. 

As  a young  man,  you  may  have  paid  hut  little 
attention  to  this  subject.  You  may  already  he 
under  the  influence  of  strong  prejudices  against 
the  Bible,  and  may  have  adopted,  without  consid- 
eration, some  infidel  notions.  Be  this  as  it  may; 
we  are  well  satisfied  that  if  you  will  examine,  with 
care,  the  evidences  of  the  insphation  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, you  will  be  able  to  adopt  the  language  of 
Bishop  Watson  in  one  of  his  letters  to  Thomas 
Paine,  where  he  says : “ With  a mind  weary  of 
conjecture,  fatigued  by  doubt,  sick  of  disputation, 
eager  for  knowledge,  anxious  for  certainty,  and 
unable  to  attain  by  the  best  use  of  my  reason  in 
matters  of  the  utmost  importance,  I have  long 
ago  turned  my  thoughts  to  an  impartial  examina- 
tion of  the  proof  on  which  revealed  religion  is 
grounded,  and  I am  convinced  of  its  truth” 

A great  many  young  men  are  so  situated  in  life, 
that  they  almost  necessarily  hear  a great  many  low 
and  abusive  remarks  made  about  the  Bible,  and 
the  doctrines  it  contains.  And  although,  at  first, 
they  may  be  surprised  at  such  remarks,  and  think 
them  entirely  out  of  place,  as  well  as  any  thing 
else  which  may  be  urged  against  the  truth  of  the 
Bible,  their  confidence  in  that  truth  will  finally  be 
shaken,  if  they  are  not  very  much  on  their  guard. 
And  this,  not  because  of  any  logical  and  powerful 
argument  against  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  but  be- 
cause they  have  been  listening  to  statements  made 
by  men  who  hate  the  Bible,  and  have  neglected 
to  notice  the  purity  of  the  doctrine  it  contains, 
and  the  positive  evidence  of  its  truth. 

Thousands  of  young  men  imbibe  the  principles 
of  infidelity  without  a moment’s  reflection  as  to 
the  impropriety  of  doing  so.  Without  ever  once 
thinking  of  the  sad  results  of  such  principles, 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  251 


when  once  the  the  intellectual  and  moral  powers 
are  brought  fully  under  their  influence.  And  if 
they  were  called  upon  to  state  precisely  the 
grounds  upon  which  they  reject  the  teachings  of 
the  Bible,  they  would  be  wholly  unable  to  bring 
forward  any  thing  to  justify  them  in  pursuing  the 
course  they  do. 

To  prevent  young  men  from  adopting  infidel 
sentiments,  which  have  already  ruined  so  many, 
is  the  object  which  we  have  in  view  in  present- 
ing, for  their  consideration,  some  of  the  plain  and 
positive  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible. 

One  of  the  evidences  that  the  Bible  is  a revela- 
tion of  the  will  of  God,  is  the  exact  agreement 
between  its  teachings  and  the  universal  experience 
of  mankind,  or  the  correct  representation  which 
the  Bible  gives  of  man  in  every  respect  whatever. 

The  sacred  writers  represent  all  men  as  being 
in  the  same  fallen  state  throughout  the  woidd ; as 
being  prone  to  reject  that  which  is  good,  and  to 
do  that  which  is  evil.  They  teach  that  man  is 
disposed  to  follow  the  evil  inclinations  of  his  own 
heart,  to  give  way  to  his  natural  appetites  and 
passions,  even  when  he  is  well  convinced  that  such 
a course  is  wrong.  They  tell  us,  also,  that  all 
who  have  not  realized  the  saving  influence  of 
divine  grace  npon  their  hearts,  are  dissatisfied; 
that  for  such  “ there  is  no  peace,”  but  that  all  is 
disquietude,  anxiety,  and  misery;  that  in  the  mind 
of  all,  in  this  situation,  there  is  a void  which  the 
world  can  never  fill. 

And  now,  we  ask,  does  this  description  corre- 
spond with  the  actual  experience  of  men  at  the 
present  day  ? Is  this  a correct  representation  of 
man’s  condition  in  a moral  point  of  view?  ISTo 
one  can  deny  or  doubt  its  correctness. 

Let  it  be  remembered,  that  when  many  of  the 
sacred  writers  gave  us  their  description  of  man’s 


252 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


condition  morally,  and  said,  among  other  things, 
that  his  lieart  is  desperately  mcked,  inclined  to 
evil,  “ and  only  evil,  and  that  continually,”  that 
they  were  acquainted  with  but  very  few  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth,  and  yet  they  lay  down  a 
rule  which  fits  every  case.  “How  could  they 
know  that  in  some  distant,  and  then  unknown 
part  of  the  earth,  another  primitive  pair  might 
not  have  been  created,  from  whom  an  innocent 
race  of  human  beings  were  then  descending  ?”  Or 
how  could  they  know  that  the  whole  human' 
family  would  correspond,  in  their  natural  disposi- 
tions, with  those  with  whom  they  were  acquainted, 
except  by  the  immediate  inspiration  of  God  ? 

“ If  a pure  race  of  human  beings  had  anywhere 
been  found  on  earth,  it  would  have  been  a direct 
contradiction  to  the  Scriptures.”  But  they  are  all 
in  the  same  state  precisely,  which  is  so  forcibly 
described  by  the  sacred  writers,  which  proves,  be- 
yond a doubt,  that  they  were  divinely  inspired,  as 
“ a knoAvledge  of  the  fact  was  beyond  the  reach 
of  man.” 

One  way,  then,  to  decide  as  to  the  truth  of  the 
Bible,  is  to  refer  to  our  own  experience.  If  it  con- 
tains anjGhing  contrary  to  our  experience,  in  regard 
to  our  condition  in  a moral  point  of  view,  then  it 
must  be  at  fault;  biit  if  not,  it  must  be  what  it 
purports  to  be,  a revelation  from  God.  And  as 
infidels  themselves  can  find  nothing  to  the  con- 
trary, and  as  our  own  experience  confirms  its 
truth,  we  are  bound,  in  justice,  to  come  to  the 
latter  conclusion.  “ Here  we  become  intimate 
with  the  germs  of  vice;  and  there  is  no  character 
but  may  see,  as  an  infallible  mirror,  his  true  state 
here  depicted.  It  is  emphatically  the  book  of  the 
human  heart,  and  could  only  be  written  by  him 
who  is  conversant  Avith  aU  the  thoughts  and  de- 
vices within  us.” 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  253 

Another  evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  is 
the  fulfillment  of  its  pi’ophecies. 

“ Some  of  which  were  speedily  fulfilled,  others 
are  in  process  of  fulfillment  to  this  day.  Thus 
Christ  foretold  that  he  should  be  put  to  death  in 
Jerusalem;  that  he  must  there  sufter  many  things 
of  the  elders,  and  chief  priests,  and  scribes ; that 
they  would  condemn  him  to  death,  and  deliver 
him  to  the  Grentiles,  to  mock,  and  scourge,  and 
crucify  him ; that  the  man  who  dipped  his  hand 
with  him  in  the  same  dish,  should  betray  him 
into  their  power;  that  the  rest  of  his  disciples 
would  forsake  him  that  night,  and  one  of  them 
deny  him  thrice ; that  he  should  be  crucified  ; 
that  he  would  rise  again  the  third  day ; tliat  he 
would  meet  his  disciples  in  Galilee ; that,  after  his 
ascension,  the  Holy  Spirit  should  descend  on  them 
at  Jerusalem  ; that  miraculous  powers  should 
thenceforth  be  possessed  and  exercised  by  them ; 
that  Jerusalem  should  be  besieged  and  taken,  and 
the  temple  entirely  destroyed  before  all  them 
then  born  were  dead ; that  the  city  should  be 
trodden  under  foot  of  the  Gentiles,  until  the  times 
of  the  Gentiles  be  fulfilled;  and  that  his  gospel 
should  universally  spread,  and  his  kingdom  tri- 
umph over  all  opposition.  Most  of  these  were 
strikingly  fulfilled  before  that  generation  passed 
away ; others  are  in  process  of  glorious  accom- 
plishment at  the  present  day.” — Evidences  of 
Chris.,  page  167. 

We  might  notice  various  other  prophecies 
which  relate  to  Babylon  and  Jerusalem,  to  differ- 
ent persons  and  places,  and  especially  those  which 
relate  to  the  Savior  of  the  world,  but  as  the  cir- 
cumstances of  their  fulfillment  have  been  well 
illustrated  by  able  writers,  whose  works  are  ex- 
tant, we  think  it  unnecessary,  as  the  reader  doubt- 
less has  access  to  many  such  works. 


254 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


He  will  allow  us,  however,  to  make  one  other 
short  extract,  which  relates  to  a prediction  of 
Moses  in  regard  to  the  Jews,  as  recorded  in  Dent, 
xxviii : 25 — “ The  Lord  shall  cause  thee  to  he 
smitten  before  thine  enemies ; and  thou  shalt  he 
removed  into  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth.” 
Said  Mr.  Watson,  in  his  conversations,  “hTow  re- 
member that  this  prophecy  was  uttered  more  than 
three  thousand  years  ago,  and  yet,  to  this  day,  the 
Jews  are  found  in  the  four  quarters  of  the  earth, 
and  scarcely  any  considerable  place  in  the  whole 
civilized  world  is  without  them  ; . so  that  the  two 
facts  are  before  us,  that  they  are  ‘ removed  out  of 
their  own  land,  and  are  scattered  into  all  the 
kingdoms  of  the  earth.’  In  vain  would  you  look 
for  the  contemporary  nations  of  former  times. 
They,  also,  were,  at  dilferent  times,  largely  scat- 
tered into  different  countries  by  wars,  captivities, 
deportations,  but  they  have  been  long  lost  iii  the 
mass.  The  Jews  alone  remain,  distinct  and  visible 
as  ever,  the  monuments  of  the  truth  of  the  pro- 
phetic spirit,  and  of  the  divine  commission  of 
their  great  Lawgiver.” 

Another  ewdence  of  the  Bible  is,  that  the  sacred 
writers  wrought  miracles  by  way  of  confirming 
the  truth  of  what  they  said. 

“ A miracle  is  an  event  varying  from  the  estab- 
lished course  of  nature ; wrought  by  the  interpo- 
sition of  God  himself,  in  attestation  of  some  divine 
truth,  or  of  the  authority  of  some  divine  messen- 
ger or  teacher.  It  is  generally  accompanied  with 
a previous  notice,  that  is  performed  according  to 
the  purpose  and  power  of  God.” 

The  miracles  recorded  in  the  Bible,  were  per- 
formed in  the  presence  of  hundreds  and  thousands 
of  witnesses,  and  if  they  were  spurious  or  false, 
why  did  not  some  that  were  present  demonstrate 
their  fallacy  ? They  surely  could  have  done  this. 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  REVELATION.  255 


if  those  who  performed  them  had  been  mere  pre- 
tenders. “ These  things  were  not  done  in  a corner, 
but  in  the  broad  open  light  of  day,  as  though  to 
satisfy  all  as  to  their  genuineness.  And  the  reader 
will  observe,  that  their  genuineness  was  never 
doubted  by  those  among  whom  they  were  wrought. 
“ They  were  not  so  stupid  as  not  to  know  when 
the  dumb  spake,  the  blind  saw,  and  the  dead 
were  raised.” 

When  we  take  into  consideration  their  number, 
their  variety,  and  the  circumstances  under  which 
they  were  Avrought,  we  are  at  a loss  to  know  upon 
what  principle  any  one  can  doubt  their  genuine- 
ness. Examine  for  yourself  the  miracles  wrought 
by  the  Savior  of  mankind,  and  see  how  easily  their 
fallacy  might  have  been  detected,  if  such  a thing 
had  been  possible. 

Take,  for  example,  that  one  recorded  in  tlie 
gospel  of  St.  John,  vi : 8.  Observe  first,  that  there 
were  but  five  loaves  and  two  fishes.  The  people 
could  not  have  been  deceived  as  to  their  number, 
nor  as  to  the  number  of  persons  present  on  the 
occasion.  For  to  suppose  that  they  were,  is  eu- 
tirely  unreasonable.  But  the  multitude  were  com- 
manded to  sit  down,  as  though  the  object  Avas  to 
give  all  the  opportunity  of  seeing  that  they  were 
not  about  to  be  imposed  upon.  The  Savior  then 
took  the  loaves,  blessed  them,  gave  them  to  his 
disciples,  and  they  to  the  people.  “ And  likeAvise 
of  the  fishes,  as  much  as  they  would.” 

And  to  demonstrate  more  fully  the  genuineness 
of  the  miracle,  after  the  people  were  all  filled,  he 
said  to  his  disciples,  “ gather  up  the  fragments  that 
remain,  that  nothing  be  lost.”  And  they  filled 
seven  baskets.  And  now,  we  ask,  Avhat  was  the 
impression  made  upon  the  minds  of  those  present, 
before  whose  eyes  this  miracle  had  been  Avrought? 
(And  they  are  surely  the  best  judges.)  Did  they 


256 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEY. 


suppose  for  a moment,  tliat  they  had  been  imposed 
upon  ? ifot  the  slightest  evidence  of  any  thing  of 
the  kind,  but  just  the  contrary.  They  may  speak 
for  themselves.  Their  language  is,  “ This  is  of  a 
truth  that  prophet  that  should  come  into  the  world.” 

It  should  he  remembered  too,  that  this,  as  well  as 
the  rest  of  the  miracles  of  Christ,  and  those  wrought 
by  his  disciples,  were  performed  in  the  presence 
of  the  wise  and  the  great  of  a learned  age.  Per- 
sons who  were  well  educated,  and  well  prepared 
to  defend  themselves,  when  there  was  any  proba- 
bility of  their  being  imposed  upon,  and  were,  con- 
sequently, not  easily  deluded.  In  addition  to  this, 
they  wrought  these  miracles  for  the  purpose  of 
attesting  truths  which  were  hated  by  the  authori- 
ties and  powers  which  then  ruled,  and  which  in- 
volved the  workers  of  them  in  poverty,  bonds, 
and  death.  And  they  were  wrought  to  establish 
the  sublime  and  important  truths  of  the  Bible. 

And  did  Christ  and  his  disciples,  without  the 
least  hesitation,  work  miracles  in  the  presence  of 
the  people?  We  answer,  that  they  did.  And 
challenge  the  infidel  world  to  prove  the  contrary. 
May  all  young  men  who  read  the  Bible,  feel  the 
power  of  its  truth,  and  be  governed  by  its  pre- 
cepts. 

Again,  the  character  of  those  who  wrote  the 
Bible,  is  a sufficient  guarantee  of  its  truth. 

They  must  have  been  men  of  good  moral  char- 
acter, or  the  contrary  would  long  since  have  been 
established.  Infidels  themselves  have  borne  testi- 
mony to  the  good  character  of  the  inspired  authors 
of  the  Bible,  in  language  which  is  really  touching 
and  sublime.  We  now  recollect  of  no  one  of  them 
who  urged  any  thing  against  the  character  of  the 
sacred  writers,  except  Tom  Paine.  And  what  he 
had  to  say,  consisted  of  low  and  vulgar  abuse, 
without  any  proof  of  what  he  said,  as  being  true. 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  257 


It  is  very  evident,  from  the  opposition  with  which 
the  Bible  has  met  in  the  world,  that  if  there  had 
been  a single  flaw  in  the  character  of  those  by 
whom  it  was  written,  it  would  long  since  have 
been  brought  to  light,  and  exposed  to  public  view. 
And  as  infidels  have  never  attacked  the  character 
of  the  authors  of  the  Scriptures,  we  may  take  it 
for  granted,  that  nothing  derogatory  to  their  good 
standing  can  be  urged  against  them. 

But  look  at  this  point  in  a still  stronger  light. 
Would  bad  men  write  such  a book  as  the  Bible, 
a book  which  universally  condemns  vice  and  im- 
morality in  every  shape  and  form?  Would  they 
write  the  best  book  in  the  world;  containing  the 
most  lofty  and  sublime  sentiments  which  were 
ever  presented  to  the  human  mind,  and  at  the 
same  time,  of  incomparable  beauty  ? To  suppose 
such  a thing  would  be  wholly  inconsistent. 

But  it  may  be  said,  that  the  authors  of  the 
Bible  were  ignorant  men,  and  were,  thei’efore, 
easily  deceived  and  imposed  upon.  But  we  ask, 
could  ignorant  men  produce  such  a book  as  the 
Bible  ? A book  which  contains  so  many  histori- 
cal facts,  so  much  sound  philosophy,  so  much 
poetry ; which  is  unsurpassed  in  purity  of  style 
and  sublimity  of  thought,  by  the  best  poets  of 
ancient  or  modern  times?  ISTo  one  could  believe 
this.  Then  the  sacred  writers  were  not  ignorant 
men,  were  not  easily  deceived.  If  they  were  im- 
posed upon,  we  ask,  by  what,  or  by  whom  were 
they  deceived?  Where  is  the  evidence  of  their 
mental  weakness? 

But,  after  all,  it  may  be  said  that  the  sacred 
writers  were  hypocritical  pretenders.  But  would 
such  men  write  a volume  which  condemns,  in 
strong  language,  every  thing  like  hypocrisy  or 
deceit?  Then  again,  what  object  could  they  have 
in  view  ? What  motives  could  have  induced  them 
22 


258 


LECTUEES  TO  YOTJEG  MEX. 


to  write  such  a hook?’  ISTot  worldly  glory,  for 
this  it  invariably  condemns.  ISTot  avarice,  for  this 
it  totally  repudiates.  Selfishness  would  not  influ- 
ence them.  To  do  good,  even  hy  false  methods, 
the  virtuous  would  despise.  Besides,  we  ask,  is  it 
not  strange,  that  the  time  when  the  Scriptures 
were  forged,  or  the  country  and  language,  or  some 
at  least  of  the  confederates  have  never  been  dis- 
covered? If  written  by  those  whose  names  are 
annexed,  then  it  is  manifestly  di'vfine.  To  confute 
this  is  beyond  the  power  and  combination  of  skep- 
ticism to  efiect.” 

Again,  the  fact  that  the  sacred  writers  did  not 
conceal  their  own  faults,  and  the  faults  of  others 
connected  with  them,  is  strong  evidence  of  the 
truth  of  what  they  said. 

If  they  had  covered  up  their  faults,  and  kept 
them  concealed  until  they  had  been  discovered  by 
their  enemies,  and  charged  upon  them,  it  would 
have  been  satisfactory  proof  that  they  were  a set 
of  impostors.  But  such  is  not  the  fact.  “ The 
writers  were  exact  in  detailing  their  own  imper- 
fections and  sins,  as  well  as  the  sins  of  others  who 
were  the  avowed  servants  of  God.”  Bor  instance, 
INIoses  tells  us  how  reluctant  he  was  to  undertake 
the  divine  mission,  that  is,  to  go  into  Eg^’pt  and 
lead  the  children  of  Israel  to  the  promised  land. 
Also,  of  his  killing  an  Egyptian,  for  imposing 
upon  one  of  his  brethren.  He  tells  us,  also,  that 
he  was  kept  back  from  the  promised  laud  on 
account  of  some  misstep  which  he  had  taken 
during  his  travels  to  that  land.  He  relates,  with 
“ unvaiying  fidelity,  the  intemperance  of  Aoah, 
just  after  he  left  the  ark,  as  well  as  the  results 
which  followed.”  The  sacred  writers  give  us  a 
detailed  account  of  the  incest  of  Lot,  and  the 
various  circumstances  with  which  it  is  connected. 
They  relate  the  idolatry  of  Aaron,  in  making  the 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  259 

golden  calf,  and  worshiping  the  same,  in  direct 
opposition  to  the  will  of  God ; the  sins  of  David, 
in  committing  adultery  with  Uriah’s  wife,  under 
circumstances,  too,  which  made  the  crime  more 
aggravating  in  its  character,  and  of  his  adding 
murder  to  the  sin  of  adultery ; the  unbelief  of  the 
disciples,  Peter’s  denial  of  his  Master,  and  his  final 
fall,  are  all  given  with  impartiality  and  exactness. 

Uow,  can  we  suppose  that  these  men,  if  their 
design  had  been  to  impose  upon  the  human 
family,  would  have  revealed  all  their  faults  and 
failings,  and  that,  too,  when  they  were  surrounded 
by  their  enemies,  who  were  seeking  to  get  the 
advantage  of  them  by  every  thing  which  they 
could  urge  against  them?  To  suppose  this,  would 
be  to  suppose  that  they  were  the  most  ignorant 
set  of  impostors  that  ever  appeared  before  the 
world. 

In  the  absence,  then,  of  proof  to  the  contrary, 
we  are  bound  to  admit  that  they  were  honest, 
pious  men,  who  spoke  and  wrote  by  the  imme- 
diate inspiration  of  God.  And  to  admit  this,  is 
to  admit  the  truth  of  what  they  have  said. 

Again,  the  wonderful  preservation  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, is  further  evidence  of  their  truth. 

Upon  what  principle  can  we  account  for  the 
singular  preservation  of  the  Scriptures,  if  not 
upon  the  principle,  that  an  all-wise  and  powerful 
Being  has  watched  over  and  taken  care  of  them  ? 
Portions  of  the  Bible  have  been  written  for  more 
than  three  thousand  years.  “ Whole  libraries  of 
works  have  perished  of  much  more  modern  date,” 
yet  no  hook  ever  met  with  stronger  opposition  than 
this.  It  is  a well  established  fact,  that  historians, 
in  the  first  three  centuries,  quoted  almost  every 
passage  in  the  Hew  Testament  Scriptures.  And 
yet,  when  they  are  compared  with  copies  of  the 
Bible  now  extant,  they  agree  in  every  particular. 


260 


LECTUEES  TO  TOUXG  MEX. 


In  fact,  there  were  various  sects  among  the  Jews, 
and  they  watched  each  other  with  a jealous  eye ; 
and,  therefoi’e,  it  would  have  been  impossible  to 
have  made  any  alteration  in  the  Holy  Scriptures 
without  being  detected.  So  particular  were  the 
Jews,  in  regard  to  this  matter,  that  the  alteration 
of  a word,  syllable,  or  letter  was  sufficient  to 
condemn  the  whole  copy. 

“ There  is  no  proof  or  vestige  whatever,  of  any 
pretended  alteration.  If  the  Jews  had  willfully 
corrupted  the  books  of  the  Old  Testament  before 
the  time  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  the  prophets 
would  not  have  passed  such  a heinous  offense  in 
silence;  and  if  they  had  been  corrupted  in  the 
time  of  Christ  and  his  apostles,  these  would  not 
have  failed  to  censure  the  Jews.  If  they  had 
been  mutilated  or  corrupted  after  the  time  of 
Christ,  the  Jews  would,  unquestionably,  have  ex- 
punged the  falsified  prophecies  concerning  Christ, 
which  were  cited  by  him  and  by  his  apostles. 
* >K  * * And  since  the  birth  of  Christ,  the  Jews 
and  Christians  have  been  a mutual  guard  and 
check  upon  each  other.” — Horn's  Intro.,  page  8. 

It  seems  to  us  that  this  argument  is  conclusive. 
Let  us  suppose  that  some  sect  at  the  present  day, 
Methodist,  Baptist,  Episcopalian,  or  Unitarian, 
should  alter  the  Bible  to  suit  the  peculiar  views 
of  their  denomination.  Could  either  of  them  effect 
this  without  being  detected  ? We  know  that  this 
would  be  impossible.  Well,  there  has  never  been 
a time  since  the  Bible  was  fimt  written,  but  what 
this  would  have  been  as  difficult  to  effect,  as  it 
would  be  at  the  present  day.  And  it  really  seems 
that  this  fact,  of  itself,  should  be  a sufficient  guar- 
antee of  the  uncorrupted  preservation  of  the  Scrip- 
tures. 

We  wish  the  young  reader  to  examine,  care- 
fully, what  has  been  said  upon  this  point;  for  it 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  KEVELATION.  261 


is  often  said,  and  too  often  believed,  that  the  Bible, 
though  originally  written  by  men  who  were  in- 
spired, it  has  so  often  been  changed  to  suit  the 
views  of  this  and  the  other  denomination,  that  it 
now  contains  but  little  of  its  original  matter. 

Again,  the  matter  of  the  Scriptures,  the  import- 
ant doctrines  Avhich  they  communicate,  is  evidence 
of  their  truth. 

“ The  system  of  doctrines  and  the  moral  pre- 
cepts which  are  delivered  in  the  Scriptures,  are  so 
excellent  and  so  perfectly  holy,  that  the  persons 
who  published  them  to  the  world  must  have  de- 
livered them  from  a purer  and  more  exalted  source 
than  their  own  meditations.”  Information  of  A^ast 
importance  to  all  men  may  be  obtained  from  the 
Scriptures,  which  can  be  obtained  from  no  other 
source.  As  a yoiing  man,  Avishing  to  do  right  in 
all  things,  and  to  secure  the  largest  amount  of 
happiness, .let  us  suppose  that  you  wish  for  infor- 
mation in  regard  to  the  attributes  of  God,  his 
nature,  perfections,  and  government,  the  origin 
of  man  and  his  final  destiny,  to  your  duty  to  God, 
yourself,  and  your  felloAv-beings,  to  your  condition 
in  a moral  point  of  vieAv,  and,  finally,  as  to  the 
means  by  which  we  may  be  reconciled  to  God, 
where  Avill  you  obtain  the  information  necessary 
in  relation  to  these  points? 

Will  you  go  to  the  works  of  nature?  They 
leave  you  in  doubts  respecting  the  attributes  of 
God,  and  say  nothing  of  your  duty  or  accounta- 
bility. Will  you  go  to  infidelity  for  this  infor- 
mation ? It  speaks  in  lofty  strains  of  the  Avisdom 
and  goodness  of  God,  of  the  beauties  of  nature, 
and  the  splendor  of  the  xmiverse,  but  “ here  all 
is  repulsive,  chilling,  and  wretched.”  And  so,  in 
turn,  you  may  go  to  reason,  to  learning,  to  science, 
and  human  discovery  and  attainment;  but  after 
all  your  inquiries,  you  will  be  left  in  the  dark  if 


262 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


light  can  not  be  obtained  from  some  other  source. 
You  should  remember,  too,  that  “ this  is  all  matter 
of  essential  consequence  to  us,  all  essential  to  our 
present  welfare  and  everlasting  salvation.  These 
are  truths  peculiar  to  the  Scriptures,  and  revealed 
nowhere  else.”  The  Bible  gives  you  the  informa- 
tion which  you  need,  clothed  with  divine  authority. 

A coi’rect  knowledge  of  these  things  could  never 
have  been  obtained  by  man  without  supernatural 
assistance.  And  as  the  sacred  writers  refer  to  the 
character  of  God,  the  moral  condition  of  man,  the 
duties  which  we  are  to  perform,  and  the  means  of 
present  and  eternal  salvation ; and  demonstrated 
the  truth  of  what  they  said  by  the  most  positive 
evidence,  it  is  difficult  for  anj’  man  to  come  to  any 
other  conclusion,  if  his  mind  is  unbiased  by  preju- 
dice, than  that  the  Bible  is  a divine  revelation. 

“ If,  then,  they  are  from  God,  the  question  of 
their  wisdom  and  truth  is  settled.  "We  can  not  ad- 
mit that  there  is  a being  of  infinite  perfection, 
without  admitting  his  perfect  visdom  and  holiness. 
He  can  not  be  deceived  himself,  and  he  can  not 
deceive  his  creatures.  On  this  rock  we  rest.  The 
perfect  truth  of  the  Scriptures  is  as  demonstrable 
as  that  God  is  wise  and  holy.  And  here  is  the  ad- 
vantage of  possessing  these  oracles.  Our  great  in- 
terest lies  in  moral  and  religious  truth,  and  that 
truth  is  here.  There  is  not  a question  relating 
either  to  duty  or  salvation,  to  which  there  is  not 
here  an  answer.  Are  you  an  inquirer?  There  is 
the  oracle.  Consult  it;  for  it  shall  speak  and 
shall  not  lie.” 

And  now,  young  reader,  allow  us  to  close  this 
lecture  with  a few  general  observations,  reserv- 
ing for  another  short  lecture  the  fui’ther  discussion 
of  this  subject. 

You  are  now  just  entering  the  theater  of  active 
life.  J ust  engaging  in  the  performance  of  its  busi- 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  263 


ness  transactions,  and  in  those  pursuits  which  will 
occupy  much  of  your  time  in  the  present  state  of 
existence.  You  may,  like  the  few,  glide  smoothly 
along  life’s  journey,  with  but  little  to  disturb  your 
mind  or  to  lead  you  away  from  the  path  of  virtue 
and  morality.  Or  it  may  be  to  jmu  a way  of  per- 
plexities, disappointment,  and  sorrow.  How  im- 
portant that  your  mind  should  be  well  established 
as  to  the  truth  of  the  Holy  Scriptures ! The  pro- 
mises of  the  Bible  will  he  to  you,  if  you  will  believe 
in  their  truth,  a source  of  abiding  consolation  in 
your  hours  of  affliction,  distress  and  misfortune. 

Remember  that  the  greatest  and  wisest  of  men  in 
all  Christian  nations,  were  likewise  the  most  emi- 
nent for  their  faith  in,  and  adherence  to,  the  Chris- 
tian religion.  “ They  were  men  whose  hopes  were 
filled  with  immortality  and  the  prospect  of  future 
rewards,  and  men  who  lived  in  a dutiful  submis- 
sion to  all  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  revealed 
religion.” 

Young  man,  take  the  Bible  for  the  man  of  your 
council.  Rely  upon  its  promises.  Walk  in  its  pre- 
cepts. Be  governed  by  its  teachings.  For  “it  has 
God  for  its  author,  salvation  for  its  end,  and  truth, 
without  any  mixture  of  error,  for  its  matter.” 


LECTUEE  XIII. 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  REVELATION. CONTINUED. 

The  fact  that  the  Bible  was  given  “by  the  in- 
spiration of  God,”  has  always  been  a source  of 
consolation  to  the  humble  Christian,  but  a source 
of  anxiety  and  disquietude  to  all  unbelievers.  The 
reason  is  very  obvious.  The  one  abides  by  its  de- 
cisions, and  is  satisfied,  while  the  other  professes 
to  doubt  in  reference  to  its  authority,  and  yet  fears 
that  it  may  be  true.  The  Christian  has  examined 
tlie  evidence  of  its  truth,  as  well  as  the  nature  of 
those  truths,  and  candidly  believes  the  Bible  to  be 
the  word  of  God. 

lie  has  arrived  at  that  point  where  he  never 
calls  this  matter  in  question.  He  has  experience 
of  the  truth  of  God’s  word.  He  knows  that  it  is 
true,  because  he  feels  that  it  is  true.  Others  may 
tell  him  that  he  is  in  the  dark,  that  he  has  been 
misled  by  false  teachers,  that  the  Bible  is  the  work 
of  designing  men,  that  its  doctrines  are  false,  and 
that  it  is  a well-arranged  forgery;  but  he  knows 
that  he  can  not  be  mistaken,  for  he  has  experience 
of  its  power  and  influence,  and  knows,  thereby,  that 
there  is  something  about  it  which  must  be  super- 
natural. 

For  instance,  it  is  represented  as  a word  of  light, 
and  he  realizes  that  his  mind  is  enlightened;  as  a 
word  of  power,  and  his  hard  heart  has  been  broken 
by  this  power ; as  a word  of  mercy,  and  his  sins  are  : 
all  pardoned;  as  a word  of  comfort  and  joy,  and  i 
he  has  “joy  and  peace  in  believing.”  And  now  i 
he  believes  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  not . 

(264) 


I 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  REVELATION.  265 


from  the  exteimal  and  internal  evidences  of  its 
truth  alone,  but  from  an  experimental  knowledge 
of  that  truth.  And  to  such  an  one  the  Bible  will 
invariably  be  a source  of  happiness. 

Being  confident  of  its  truth,  satisfied  with  its 
claims  to  inspiration,  he  feels  that  he  has  nothing 
to  do  but  to  walk  in  its  precepts.  Having  taken 
the  Bible  for  his  guide,  he  rests  assured  that  God 
will  protect  and  sustain  him,  according  to  his  pro- 
mise, in  all  the  ills  of  life.  And  in  his  last  expir- 
ing moments,  he  expects  to  gain  the  victory  over 
his  enemies,  and  to  live  finally  with  the  angels  of 
God  in  heaven.  And  do  you  ask,  why  this  confi- 
dence, this  reliance,  this  bright  and  cheerful  hope 
of  immortality,  in  this  world  where  all  is  dark  and 
gloomy?  We  answer,  that  he  believes  the  Bible 
to  be  the  word  of  him  who  can  not  lie,  and  he, 
therefore,  expects  to  realize  the  fulfillment  of  his 
promises. 

The  infidel,  however,  occupies  altogether  ditfer- 
ent  ground.  From  false  teaching,  improper  exam- 
ple, and  immoral  influences,  among  other  things, 
he  discredits  the  Bible,  and  professes  to  believe 
that  the  movements  of  nature  are,  and  should  be, 
the  only  guide  for  man;  and  tries  to  satisfy  him- 
self that  he  is  right.  But  oh!  how  his  mind  is 
troubled,  and  how  weak  his  faith  in  the  principles 
of  infidelity!  He  has  conversed  with  his  infidel 
associates,  examined  their  writings,  and  tried  to 
persuade  himself  into  the  opinion  that  he  can  get 
along  well  enough,  and  yet  disbelieve  the  Bible. 
But  ever  and  anon,  he  meets  with  something 
which  weakens  his  confidence  in  the  principles  of 
'infidelity,  and  confirms  the  truth  of  the  Holy 
'Scriptures,  until,  at  times,  he  is  ready  to  exclaim: 
'“Almost  I am  persuaded  to  believe  the  Bible!” 
For,  although  he  professes  to  be  infidel  in  his  sen- 
timents, he  has  no  assurance  as  to  the  correctness 
23 


266 


LECTUKES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


of  snch  sentiments;  and  hence  his  doubts  and 
fears  that  the  Bible  may  be  true. 

He  knows,  if  the  Bible  is  true,  that  he  occu- 
pies the  wrong  ground;  that  he  is  a sinner  ex- 
posed to  ruin;  that  he  is  responsible  to  his  Creator 
for  his  conduct;  and  that  he  Avill  soon  have  to 
stand  at  his  bar:  and  yet  he  is  unwilling  to  re- 
nounce his  infidelity,  and  to  believe  in  the  doc- 
trines and  practice  the  precepts  of  God’s  ’Word. 
And  now  he  must  find  something  to  satisfy  his 
mind,  and  quiet  his  conscience.  To  eflect  this, 
he  shuns  conviction  as  to  the  inspiration  of  the 
Scriptures,  and  endeavors  to  convince  himself  that 
the  doctrines  of  infidelity  stand  upon  a solid  basis. 
He  feels  that  if  he  can  but  be  convinced  that  this 
last  statement  is  true,  that  he  can,  without  fear- 
ing the  consequences,  pursue  the  path  of  sin;  en- 
joy the  pleasures  of  the  world;  gratify  all  his 
natural  appetites  and  passions;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  have  no  dread  on  his  mind  in  reference  to 
the  future.  And  if  the  young  reader  will  but 
examine  this  matter  carefully,  he  will  perceive 
the  reason  why  there  is  so  much  infidelity  in  the 
world.  It  often  originates  in  a desire  to  throw 
oti'  all  restraints  imposed  by  religious  obligations, 
that  they  may  feel  free  to  commit  sin  without  the 
fear  of  punishment,  which  can  not  be  done  by  an 
individual  who  believes  the  Bible. 

Here  we  see  one  of  the  principles  of  that  false 
philosophy,  which  prompts  a man  to  oppose  the 
doctrines  of  the  Bible,  and  to  endeavor  to  show 
that  it  is  not  the  Word  of  God.  It  is  simply  to 
give  quiet  to  his  troubled  mind,  while  he  pursues 
a course  directly  opposite  to  its  teachings.  But 
notwithstanding  the  eiforts  which  have  been  made, 
especially  in  the  last  eighteen  hundred  years,  to 
show  that  the  Bible  is  not  an  inspired  volume,  the 
truth  is  clearly  demonstrated  to  all,  except  those 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  267 


who  have  determined  not  to  believe  that  “ all 
Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  Grod.” 

To  establish  this  point  more  fully,  and,  in  the 
mean  time,  to  return  to  the  subject  immediately 
under  consideration,  we  notice  the  moral  tendency 
of  the  Scriptures  as  evidence  of  their  truth. 

Wherever  a knowledge  of  the  Scriptures  is  dif- 
fused among  the  people,  its  tendency  is  to  pro- 
mote morality  and  virtue.  ITo  one,  we  think,  can 
doubt  the  truth  of  this  proposition,  if  he  has  hut 
observed  the  difference  between  those  who  are 
favored  with  the  teachings  of  the  Bible  and  those 
who  are  not  thus  favored.  The  absence  of  reli- 
gious knowledge,  either  in  a community  or  nation, 
almost  necessarily  implies  a low  state  of  morals. 
You  have  but  to  look  abroad  in  the  world  to  see 
the  truth  of  this  declaration  verified.  Wherever 
the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  are  not  taught  and 
understood  by  the  people,  you  will  find  invariably 
that  they  are  selfish  in  their  dispositions;  unjust 
in  their  dealings  with  each  other;  unchaste  in 
their  habits;  disposed  to  gratify  their  natural 
propensities;  and  are,  in  fact,  inclined  to  every 
species  of  vice.  While,  on  the  other  hand,  wher- 
ever the  Bible  is  known,  and  its  authority  recog- 
nized, its  tendency  is  to  purify  the  heart,  to  raise 
higher  the  standard  of  morality,  and  is  thus,  upon 
a large  scale,  conducive  to  the  happiness  of  man. 
This,  we  say,  is  universally  the  case,  in  all  nations 
and  countries,  where  the  precepts  of  the  Bible  are 
taught  and  understood  by  the  people. 

And  are  we  sustained  by  the  history  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures  in  the  position  which  we  have 
here  assumed?  We  affirm  that  we  are;  and  here 
again  defy  infidelity  to  produce  a single  instance 
to  the  contrary.  What  was  the  condition  of  the 
Jewish  nation,  as  well  as  the  surrounding  nations, 
at  the  time  that  Chii’st  commenced  preaching  his 


268 


LECTUEES  TO  YOOTG  MEY. 


own  “everlasting  gospel?”  They  were  in  a state 
of  dai'kness  and  degradation.  What  is  the  con- 
dition of  those  nations  and  eonntries  at  the  pre- 
sent day,  who  have  not  the  light  of  revelation  to 
guide  their  feet  into  the  path  of  virtue  and  reli- 
gion? They  have  no  correct  ideas  of  morality, 
and  are  living  in  the  practice  of  some  of  the  most 
degrading  habits  and  vices  that  the  mind  of  man 
can  conceive;  and  that,  too,  after  ever}*  system  of 
morality  and  philosophy  that  man’s  wisdom  could 
devise  had  been  tried  to  the  utmost. 

hiow,  if  the  Bible,  wherever  its  light  is  diffused, 
tends  directly  to  elevate  the  condition  of  such  as 
have  just  been  referred  to — if  it  purities  the  heart, 
controls  the  natural  desires,  checks  the  inclination 
to  vice,  and  betters  man’s  moral  condition  in  every 
sense  of  the  word — it  must  be  divine  in  its  origin. 
And  that  it  produces  these  effects  no  reflecting 
man  will  deny. 

“ Let  the  blessed  results  of  Christian  faith,  evinced 
in  the  lives  and  deaths  of  its  true  professors,  be  con- 
trasted with  the  unfruitful  works  of  darkness  which 
is  unrelieved  by  a ray  of  light  from  heaven.  Let 
the  generous  and  expansive  love,  the  zealous  and 
untiring  benevolent  labors,  and  the  self-denying 
and  devoted  faithfulness  of  the  Christian  be  com- 
pared with  the  selfish  and  contracted  tempers,  the 
fierce  and  vindictive  passions,  and  the  degrading 
sensuality  or  deceitful  dealings  of  the  best  of 
heathens.  Above  all,  let  the  peace,  security  and 
triumph  of  the  feeblest  of  the  feeblest  sex,  in  the 
feeblest  hours  of  human  frailty,  under  the  appall- 
ing approaches  of  man’s  most  terrible  enemy,  be 
set  against  the  dim  uncertainties,  the  gloomy  fore- 
bodings, and  often  fearful  premonitions  of  despair, 
which  have  signalized  the  dying  hour  of  the  caviler 
and  skeptic;  and  with  all  objections  to  this  path, 
reason  compels  the  exclamation,  ‘ Let  me  die  the 


THE  BIBLE  A BIVIEE  EEVELATIOH.  269 


death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  he 
like  his/  ” — Evidences  of  Christianity. 

“ISTo  candid  man  will  deny  that,  in  countries 
where  religion  flourishes,  the  tone  of  moral  feel- 
ing is  much  higher  than  in  those  where  it  is  com- 
paratively unknown ; nor  can  it  be  denied  that,  in 
Christian  churches,  a much  higher  standard  of 
morals  is  maintained  than  in  the  world.  How 
rare  a thing  is  it  to  find  a member  of  a Christian 
church  in  a jail  or  penitentiary!  And  who,  let 
us  ask,  are  the  foremost  and  most  zealous  op- 
posers  of  immorality  in  all  its  forms?  Are  they 
infidels  or  Christians?” — Ibid. 

Another  evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible  is 
its  tremendous  influence  on  the  character  and 
manners  of  mankind. 

Its  influence  upon  nations,  in  these  respects,  is 
truly  wonderful.  Look  at  those  nations  which 
have  paid  due  respect  to  the  precepts  of  the  Bible 
in  framing  the  constitution  of  their  country,  en- 
acting their  laws,  and  in  establishing  their  insti- 
tutions. How  mild  and  yet  how  efiicacious  such 
institutions  and  laws,  and  how  beneficial  such  gov- 
ernments! How  diflerent,  in  all  these  respects, 
from  such  as  are  to  be  found  in  all  nations  which 
have  not  the  Bible,  and  know  nothing  of  its 
precepts ! 

“Where,  among  all  cotemporary  nations,  will 
you  find  a form  of  government  Avhich  can  bear  a 
comparison  with  the  inspired  and  equitable  code  of 
the  Jewish  Theocracy?  Study,  then,  the  subse- 
quent history  of  governments,  and  you  will  find, 
that  since  the  dawn  of  the  Christian  era,  wherever 
the  principles  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  have 
prevailed,  wherever  public  order  and  personal 
safety,  the  jiist  authority  of  government,  and  the 
highest  immunities  and  welfare  of  the  governed 
have  been  combined,  there  Jhe  influence  of  the 


270 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


Bible  has  been  proportionably  felt  and  acknowl- 
edged. There  have  been  despotisms,  it  is  true, 
under  the  name  of  religion;  but  where  tjwanny 
puts  on  this  mask,  it  is  always  careful  first  to  put 
out  the  light.  ‘ Christianity,’  says  Montesquieu,  ‘ is 
a stranger  to  despotic  power.’  ‘Religion,’  says  Be 
Tocqueville,  ‘is  the  companion  of  liberty  in  all  its 
battles  and  conflicts,  the  cradle  of  its  infancy,  and 
the  divine  source  of  its  claims.’  England  owes  to 
the  Bible  the  great  charter  of  its  liberties.  And 
our  own  republic  stands  this  day  unexampled  in 
the  history  of  tlie  world,  simply  because  it  is  a 
land  of  Bibles.  Take  away  the  influence  of  this 
book  from  our  wide-spread  country,  and  how  long 
would  it  be,  under  the  necessary  and  rapid  degen- 
eracy of  public  morals,  before  the  decisions  of  the 
ballot-box  ymuld  give  place  to  the  decisions  of  the 
sword,  the  prerogatives  of  right  to  the  powers  of 
might,  law  to  lust,  government  to  anarchy,  and 
anarchy  to  despotism.” — Evi.  of  Chris.,  page  54. 

Look  also  at  the  influence  of  the  Bible  on  man 
in  a social  point  of  vieAv.  'WhereA’er  its  commands 
are  properly  appreciated,  you  find  better  citizens, 
better  neighbors,  better  husbands,  and  among  all, 
a greater  regard  for  each  other’s  welfare  and  hap- 
piness. 

Finally,  on  this  point,  look  at  its  influence  on 
the  character  and  movements  of  individuals. 

Bo  you  see  that  indmdual,  as  he  passes  along 
the  public  way?  Why  are  his  eyes  fixed  on  the 
ground?  Wh}’  is  his  countenance  so  dull,  and 
Avhy  so  many  expressions  of  sorrow?  Why  is 
there  so  little  energy,  and  so  much  awkwardness 
manifested  in  all  his  movements?  He  is  a stranger 
to  the  Bible,  and  to  the  manners  and  customs 
which  have  been  fostered  under  its  influence.  But 
look  at  that  other  individual.  He  has  a brilhant 
eye,  a cheerful  countenance,  an  intellectual  face,  a 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  271 


lively  appearance ; he  is  graceful  in  his  movements, 
and  seems  to  be  full  of  life  and  energy.  And  do 
you  inquire,  why  this  difference?  We  answer, 
that  the  latter  was  raised  in  a land  of  Bibles.  A 
land  where  educational  enterprises  meet  with  en- 
couragement, where  the  people  realize  their  re- 
sponsibility to  the  Creator  of  all  things,  and  where 
they  are  taught  that  if  they  will  obey  his  com- 
mands, all  will  be  well  with  them  in  time  and  in 
eternity.  And  are  all  these  things  true  of  the 
Bible  ? If  so,  it  must  have  been  dictated  by  infi- 
nite wisdom. 

Another  evidence  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  is 
its  power  to  convict  and  convert  the  soul. 

Wherever  its  truth  is  fully  revealed  to  the  mind, 
conviction  for  sin  is  invariably  the  result  produced. 
ISTo  man  can  read  the  Bible  carefully,  and  with  a 
desire  to  understand  it,  without  seeing,  as  in  a 
glass,  his  true  condition,  and  that,  too,  when  he 
does  not  desire  this.  When  he  is  not  examining 
the  scriptures  with  the  view  of  realizing  his  con- 
dition, but,  on  the  other  hand,  to  prove  to  himself 
that  he  is  already  in  the  right  way,  conviction  will 
flash  across  his  mind,  and  he  will  be  fully  prepared 
to  view  himself  in  the  proper  light.  The  Bible 
will  tell  him  the  truth  in  regard  to  his  condition, 
and  leaves  on  his  mind  no  doubts  in  reference  to 
it.  ISTo  man  who  will  read  the  Bible  with  care, 
can  be  at  a loss  to  determine  as  to  the  relation 
which  he  sustains  to  the  Author  of  all  things. 

But  the  Bible,  unlike  the  various  and  false  sys- 
tems devised  by  men,  does  not  leave  him  to  mourn 
over  his  condition  without  any  hope  of  relief,  but 
shows  him  how  he  may  obtain  pardon,  and  is  a 
sure  guide  to  every  man.  Look  at  the  case  of  the 
poet  Cowper,  as  an  illustration  of  this  point.  In 
looking  at  his  own  condition  in  a moral  point  of 
view,  he  clearly  saw  that  he  was  wrong;  that  he 


272 


LECTUEES  TO  TOUlsG  MEX. 


was  not  prepared  for  death,  or  for  the  solemn  real- 
ities of  eternity.  To  obtain  relief,  and  to  feel  a 
conciousness  that  all  was  well,  he  tried  every 
method  which  man’s  wisdom  could  devise,  hut 
was  still  left  in  doubt.  He  looked  to  infidelity 
and  morality,  to  human  learning  and  philosophy ; 
but  all  to  no  purpose,  for  he  found  no  relief. 

He  then  turned  his  attention  more  especially  to 
the  study  of  the  Scriptures,  determined,  if  possible, 
to  solve  the  all-important  question,  “What  must 
I do  to  be  saved?”  He  had  pursued  this  course 
but  a short  time,  before  his  eye  fell  upon  that  pas- 
sage, in  the  third  chapter  of  the  book  of  Homans, 
which  shows  so  clearly  how  “ God  can  be  just, 
and  yet  the  justifier  of  him  that  believeth.”  By 
a new  and  powerful  perception,  he  saw  a beauty 
in  the  plan  of  salvation,  and  the  wonderful  adap- 
tation of  that  plan  to  his  condition,  as  well  as  to 
the  condition  of  the  whole  human  family.  He 
saw  how,  by  faith,  in  the  promises  of  the  Bible, 
man  could  obtain  pardon,  and  enjoy  peace  of  mind. 
He  took  hold  of  these  promises,  and  at  once  found 
the  desired  relief,  and  realized  that  “joy  which  is 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.”  And  the  conso- 
lation of  that  hope  which  is  “full  of  immortality 
and  eternal  life.” 

Well  may  it  be  asked  of  the  Bible,  “Who  can 
record  its  victories  of  moral  power  and  beauty? 
Who  can  rehearse  its  mighty  achievements,  its 
delightful  transformations?  Its  influence  has  not 
been  impaired  by  the  lapse  of  ages.  Its  power 
is  not  limited  to  any  country,  or  clime,  or  color, 
or  tongue.  Everywhere  it  dift'uses  light,  and 
liberty,  and  joy,  and  blessedness.  Surely  we 
may  exclaim  Avith  holy  rapture,  ‘Thy  word  is 
truth.’  ” 

We  design,  however,  before  we  close  this  lecture, 
to  notice  some  of  the  objections  which  are  fre- 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  273 


quently  urged  by  infidels  against  Christianity  and 
against  the  Bible. 

Infidels,  in  the  first  place,  attacked  the  evidences 
of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  endea- 
vored to  show  that  there  was  no  proof  of  its  di- 
vine origin.  In  this  attempt,  after  repeated  efforts, 
they  failed.  The  evidence  of  the  truth  of  revealed 
religion  was  so  clear,  and  so  positive,  that  they 
were  compelled  to  retreat  from  the  contest,  and 
adopt  some  other  method  by  Avhich  to  accomplish 
their  design.  They  now  manifest  their  opposition 
to  Christianity  in  general,  by  bi’inging  up  a long 
list  of  objections.  But  a few  simple  illustrations 
will  make  it  appear,  that  they  have  been  equally 
as  unsuccessful  in  this  attempt  as  they  were  in  the 
former. 

Infidels  object  to  the  Bible,  from  the  fact  that 
some  of  the  peculiar  doctrines  which  it  contains, 
are  mysterious,  and,  as  they  say,  “ contrary  to  rea- 
son.” Hence  they  maintain,  that  “ where  mystery 
begins,  religion  ends.”  This  objection  is  met  by 
B.  M.  Smith,  when  he  says,  “ This  objection  is  er- 
roneous: for  nothing  is  so  mysterious  as  the  eter- 
nity and  self-existence  of  a God ; yet,  to  believe 
that  God  exists,  is  the  foundation  of  all  religion. 
We  can  not  comprehend  the  common  operations  of 
nature;  and  if  we  ascend  to  the  highest  depart- 
ments of  science,  even  to  the  science  of  demon- 
stration itself,  the  mathematics,  we  shall  find  that 
mysteries  exist  there.” 

“ Mystei’ies  in  the  Christian  religion,  instead  of 
being  suspected,  should  rather  be  regarded  as  a 
proof  of  its  divine  origin  ; for,  if  nothing  more  was 
contained  in  the  Hew  Testament  than  we  previ- 
ously knew,  or  nothing  more  than  we  could  easily 
comprehend,  we  might  justly  doubt  if  it  came  from 
God,  and  whether  it  was  not  rather  a work  of 
man’s  device.” 


274 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


Said  Sidney  Smith,  “ To  a schoolboy,  ISTewton’s 
philosoph}"  may  be  above  reason,  but  can  not  be 
said  to  be  opposed  to  bis  reason,  for  on  account  of 
ignorance  and  immaturity,  bis  reason  can  not  be 
exercised  in  its  principles.”  And  again,  after  re- 
ferring to  various  operations  in  the  machinery  of 
nature,  he  says,  “ yet  who  doubts  the  existence  of 
the  natural  world,  and  that  of  himself,  or  the  facts 
adverted  to,  however  wonderful,  because  they  in- 
volve mysteries?  He,  indeed,  who  rejects  any  doc- 
trine of  revelation  or  revealed  religion  itself,  on 
account  of  mysteries,  must,  to  be  consistent,  cease 
all  mental  and  physical  etforts.  The  farmer  must 
cease  to  sow,  the  mechanic  to  labor,  and  the  philo- 
sopher to  reason,  till  they  fully  comprehend  the 
inexplicable  wonders  of  the  earth,  the  body,  and 
the  mind.  We  must  too,  reject  all  natural  reli- 
gion. Is  the  Trinity  incomprehensible?  The  om- 
niscience, omnipresence,  omnipotence,  yea,  self- 
existence of  a great  First  Cause,  are  no  less  so.” 
Thus  we  perceive  that  this  objection,  though  re- 
i:)eatedly  urged,  amounts  to  nothing,  so  far  as  our 
faith  in  revealed  religion  is  concerned. 

And  we  would  say  to  all  young  men,  that  when- 
ever the  infidel  tries  to  shake  your  faith  in  the 
truth  of  the  Bible,  by  contending  that  a “ revela- 
tion which  contains  mysteries  is  a contradiction,” 
you  may  easily  get  clear  of  them  by  showing  that 
the  Bible  reveals  the  existence  of  God,  but  not  how 
he  exists.  That  he  created  all  things,  but  not  how 
he  created  them.  That  he  now  sustains  all  things, 
but  not  how  he  sustains  them.  That  the  Divine 
Spirit  enlightens  the  mind  of  man,  hut  not  how  it 
operates  to  produce  this  effect,  besides  various 
other  illustrations  of  the  same  idea. 

Another  objection  to  Cliristianity,  as  a system 
of  revealed  truth,  is  as  follows : 

“ Christianity  claims  to  be  a universal  blessing 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  275 


to  mankind,  and  if  so,  why  is  it  so  slow  in  its 
operations,  and  why  is  it  that  so  few  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  earth,  are  in  possession  of  its  bene- 
fits?” We  answer,  that  if  Christianity  comes  to  us 
attended  by  evidence  which  may  be  relied  upon, 
after  the  most  minute  investigation  of  all  its  claims, 
the  fact  that  all  others  are  not  in  possession  of  its 
light,  nor  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  blessings,  is  rather 
a poor  argument  against  its  truth. 

For  the  same  objection  might  be  urged  with 
equal  force  against  various  other  systems,  the  prac- 
tical utility  of  which,  no  one  pretends  to  doubt. 
The  science  of  medicine  and  civil  government,  may 
he  given  as  examples.  Diseases  of  various  kinds 
have  often  been  arrested  in  their  progress  by  the 
skillful  application  of  medicine,  and  a high  state 
of  civilization,  is  the  result  of  judicious  laws,  pro- 
perly administered.  But  the  fact  that  many  com- 
munities and  nations  are  deprived  of  the  benefits 
of  both,  is  no  argument  against  the  utility  of  either. 

It  is  very  evident  that  the  Divine  Being  could 
have  adopted  some  method,  by  which  the  princi- 
ples of  Christianity  might  have  been  more  rapidly 
disseminated  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  h\it 
he  saw  proper  not  to  do  so.  He  prefers  to  carry  on 
his  plans,  which  are  to  secure  the  happiness  of  man 
in  a spiritual  point  of  view,  by  human  agency. 

Indeed,  says  B.  M.  Smith,  “ none  will  require  the 
universal  reception  of  Cln’istianity,  as  either  an 
evidence  of  its  divine  origin  or  an  argument  for 
its  purity;  for  where  it  has  been  fully  published, 
it  has  not  been  universally  received,  and  unless 
free  agency  were  destroyed  by  an  enforcement  ef 
its  claims,  in  the  present  state  of  things,  we  see  no 
reason  to  expect  such  a reception.  This  conceded, 
whether  a minority  or  majority  have  received  it, 
is  not  very  material.  But  we  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  a much  larger  number  will  ultimately 


276 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


appear  to  have  been  benefited  than  the  objection 
intimates.  The  present  and  past  generations  of 
men  may  constitute  a minority  of  the  whole  race. 
What  are  yet  to  be  the  effects  of  Christianity,  we 
know  not.  Probably  they  will  exceed  all  former 
experience.  When  then,  to  Christian  adults,  we 
add  the  vast  millions  of  infants  interested  in  the 
atoning  blood  of  Christ,  and  the  healing  power  of 
the  divine  spirit,  it  is  possible  a vast  majority  of 
the  human  family  will  have  been  found  partici- 
pants in  the  blessings  of  the  Gospel.” 

“ But,”  says  the  infidel,  “ we  can  show  from  his- 
tory that  there  was  a period  when  men  were  en- 
tirely debarred  from  all  freedom  of  opinion  upon 
religious  subjects,  when  this  intolerance  was  mani- 
fested in  the  most  cruel  persecutions,  by  an  art- 
ful and  cruel  priesthood  who  governed  and  who 
pillaged  the  world.” 

All  this,  we  reply,  may  be  true.  But  are  we  jus- 
tifiable in  concluding,  from  this  fact,  that  Chins- 
tianity  is  a system  of  falsehood  ? Is  every  thing  to 
be  considered  bad  in  itself,  because  it  is  capable  of 
being  abused  ? If  so,  liberty  among  the  American 
people  should  not  be  so  highly  prized.  Por  in  many 
instances,  it  has  been  woefully  abused.  Education, 
wealth  and  power  may  be  put  down  in  the  same 
categoiy.  In  fact,  intellectual,  moral  and  scientific 
knowledge  may  be  opposed  upon  the  same  ground, 
for  no  one,  we  suppose,  will  doubt  but  what  they 
have,  at  times,  been  converted  into  instruments  of 
evil,  by  men  who  were  incapable  of  appreciating 
the  benefits  of  either.  There  is  scarcely  a good 
principle  either  in  law,  science,  or  morals,  but  what 
has,  at  some  time,  been  turned  out  of  its  proper 
channel  by  mistaken  zeal  or  by  evil  design. 

Admitting,  then,  that  there  was  a time  in  the 
dark  ages,  when  the  principles  of  Christianity 
were  not  understood,  when  its  adherents  were 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  KEYELATION.  277 


bigoted,  intolerant,  and  unfeeling  in  their  disposi- 
tion, it  still  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  truth  of 
revealed  religion.  The  object  is  not  so  much  to 
show  what  Christianity  was  at  this  or  the  other 
time,  but  to  show  what  its  spirit  and  tendency  is 
at  the  present  day. 

Its  genuineness  does  not  depend  upon  the  con- 
duct of  those  who  profess  to  be  governed  by  its 
principles ; for  let  them  do  as  they  may,  it  is  still 
unchanged  as  to  its  character  and  tendency.  The 
best  set  of  men  that  the  world  ever  saw  could  not 
make  it  true  if  it  is  false ; nor  could  the  worst 
make  it  false  if  it  is  true. 

“ If,”  says  S.  Smith,  “ it  can  be  shown  that 
there  is  any  thing  in  the  Christian  religion  neces- 
sarily connected  with  bigotry  and  intolerance,  this 
objection  would  be  pertinent  and  powerful ; but 
to  suppose  that  a Christian  is  a bigot  now,  because 
there  were  very  few  Christians  who  were  not  so 
three  hundred  years  ago,  is  to  suppose  the  exist- 
ence of  principles  and  causes  which  every  cool, 
uupi’ejudiced  mind  perceives  to  have,  long  ago, 
lost  their  influence  upon  mankind.” 

“ISTo  cause  ought  to  be  judged,”  says  B.  M. 
Smith,  “ by  its  corruptions  and  abuses.  Immor- 
alities of  Christians  can  not  be  charged  on  the 
system,  till  shown  to  proceed  from  its  principles. 
But  the  purity  of  those  pinnciples  is  admitted  in 
the  charge,  for  Christians  are  criticised  as  much,  or 
more,  for  want  of  conformity  to  the  peculiar  pre- 
cepts to  their  own  religion,  as  thus  common  to  it 
over  the  religion  of  nature.  If  persecution  were 
of  the  spirit  of  Christianity,  where  this  most  pre- 
vailed that  would  most  abound.  But  the  reverse 
is  notoriously  true.  Religious  persecutions  have 
uniformly  resulted  from  the  acts  and  motives  of 
unchristian  men ; and  history  attests,  that  those 
ministers  or  others,  who  have  become  tyrants  over 


278 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


the  souls  and  bodies  of  their  fellows,  erected  stakes 
and  gibbets,  founded  the  infernal  dungeons,  and 
contrived  the  cruel  racks  of  the  inquisition ; in  I 
other  respects,  forfeited  all  claims  to  he  regarded 
as  Christians.  Isolated  instances  may  be  found, 
when,  under  the  influence  of  evil  example  and  de- 
praved public  sentiments,  or  driven  by  oppression, 
men  of  undoubted  Christian  principle  have  turned 
aside  from  rectitude  in  these  respects;  but  perse- 
cution, and  every  harsh  and  cruel  mode  of  propa- 
gating Christianity  have  ever  been  condemned  by 
those  who,  in  every  age,  have  enjoyed  the  best 
reputation  as  Christians ; and  the  Bible  not  only 
does  not  teach,  but  most  expressly  denounces  such 
practices.” 

But  we  have  extended  this  lecture  beyond  what 
we  intended  when  we  commenced  it.  But  we 
hope  the  jmung  reader  will  consider  the  import- 
ance of  the  subject  treated  of,  and  make  due 
allowance. 

What  we  have  said  in  the  last  three  lectures,  is 
designed  to  guard  you  against  one  of  the  worst 
of  all  evils,  that  of  infldelity. 

We  have  noticed,  as  you  have  doubtless  ob- 
served, only  a few  of  the  plainest  evidences  of 
the  Christian  religion,  and  have  merely  glanced 
at  a few  of  the  objections  which  are  often  urged 
against  it  as  a s^'stem  of  divine  truth.  To  set 
forth  all  the  evidences  of  the  divine  origin  of 
Christianity,  and  notice  all  the  objections  to  it 
upon  the  part  of  infldelity,  would  require  a large 
volume.  Able  writers  have  spent  much  time  in 
collecting  facts,  which  go  to  prove  directly  the  I 
divine  authority  of  the  Bible ; and  if  you  will  I 
candidly  and  cai'efully  examine  their  writings,  we 
have  strong  confldence  in  your  being  a Arm  be- 
liever in  its  truths,  whether  you  practice  its  pre- 
cepts or  not. 


THE  BIBLE  A DIVINE  EEVELATION.  279 

Let  ITS  suggest  that  you  read,  at  your  earliest 
opportuuity,  “ The  Jew’s  Letters  to  Voltaire,” 
“ Horne’s  Introduction  to  the  Study  of  the  Bible,” 
“ The  Evidences  of  Christianity,”  consisting  of  a 
series  of  lectures  delivered  by  distinguished  min- 
isters, at  Jefferson  University,  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  “"Watson’s  Conversation”  on  the  Bible, 
and  Bishop  “ Watson’s  Apology  for  the  Bible,” 
in  a series  of  letters  addressed  to  Tom  Paine.  We 
mention  these  books  as  being  worthy  of  your 
special  attention,  from  the  fact  that  they  are  easily 
understood,  and  are  sufficient  to  convince  any  un- 
prejudiced mind  as  to  the  truth  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. 

Let  the  young  reader  remember,  that  if  Chris- 
tianity is  true,  it  is  “ tremendously  true.”  If  the 
Bible  be  the  Word  of  God,  we  are  fallen  and 
depraved  beings,  in  a state  of  probation,  and  on 
trial  for  eternity.  If  the  Bible  be  true,  there  is  a 
place  of  future  endless  punishment,  into  which 
thousands  and  millions  have  plunged  themselves 
by  unbelief  and  disobedience.  And  we,  if  we 
pursue  the  same  course,  must  meet  with  the  same 
fate.  While,  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  a place 
of  future  endless  happiness,  where  many  of  our 
friends  now  rest  from  labor,  toil,  and  care ; and 
to  this  state  of  happiness  we  may  attain,  by  using 
the  means  with  which  we  are  so  abundantly  fur- 
nished. To  which  place  will  you  go?  May  an 
all-wise  Being  save  you,  by  his  providence,  from 
the  cheerless  paths  of  infidelity,  and  direct  your 
feet  to  the  portals  of  eternal  felicity. 


LECTURE  XIV. 


THE  NECESSITY  OP  INYESTIGATING  THE  SCIENCE  OF 
CHKISTIANTTT. 

Having  noticed  in  the  preceding  lectures,  some 
of  the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity,  we 
now  design  noticing,  in  a brief  way,  the  necessity 
of  investigating  it  as  a science. 

However  true  it  may  he  that  Christianity  is  of 
God,  however  much  it  may  have  done,  or  may  yet 
do  for  others,  we  shall  never  realize  its  advantages 
nor  the  fullness  of  its  blessings,  if  we  are  so  indif- 
ferent as  to  be  ignorant  of  its  principles.  IXe 
should  ever  bear  in  mind,  that  to  be  ignorant  of 
the  laws  of  God,  as  revealed  in  the  Scriptures,  to 
be  ignorant  of  his  requirements,  and  of  the  duties 
winch  we  owe  to  him  as  our  Creator,  will  not  ex- 
cuse us,  in  the  day  of  punishment,  for  the  violation 
of  these  laws,  or  for  refusing  to  obey  the  divine 
commands.  For,  in  respect  to  these  things,  we  are 
favored  with  the  means  of  information. 

"We  often  wonder  how  the  young  men  of  this  | 
country  can,  as  a deliberate  matter,  content  them-  i 
selves  in  a state  of  almost  entire  ignorance  of  the 
Bible,  when  they  have  so  many  opportunities  of 
being  familiar  with  its  teachings,  for  how  often 
does  the  inquiiy  arise  in  the  minds  of  all  reflecting  j 
young  men,  what  is  to  be  our  condition  after  we  ( 
have  passed  away  from  the  shores  of  time?  Are  we  ' 
to  live  again  in  another  state  of  existence?  If  so, 
what  is  the  nature  of  the  life  which  we  shall  live 
after  the  present  life  shall  close?  Vliat  relation  has 
the  present  life  to  the  future  ? Will  that  be  a life  of  i 
endless  joy  and  happiness,  or  a life  of  misery  and  1 
(280) 


INVESTIGATION  OP  CHEISTIANITY.  281 


wretchedness?  Can  we  do  any  thing  in  this  life 
which  will  atfect  our  future  condition  ? If  so,  how 
shall  it  he  done  ? How  shall  we  act  so  as  to  please 
God?  IIow  obtain  the  pardon  of  sin,  and  be  pre- 
pared for  happiness  in  a future  state  of  existence? 
Oh ! how  important  are  such  inquiries  ? 

Upon  all  these  points,  Christianity,  as  revealed 
in  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Chi’ist,  gives  us  all  the  in- 
formation we  need.  They  are  made  so  plain, 
“that  the  wayfaring  man,  though  a fool,  need  not 
err  therein.” 

It  reveals  to  us  what  infidelity  never  has  revealed, 
and  never  can  reveal,  that  though  wm  die,  we  shall 
be  raised  from  the  dead,  and,  without  doubt,  shall 
live  forever.  And  more  than  this,  it  tells  us  that 
provision  has  been  made  for  the  salvation  of  all 
men.  It  tells  us  also,  that  by  walking  in  all 
the  commandments  of  God  blameless,  and  by  ap- 
proaching his  throne  in  a proper  manner,  that  we 
can  do  something  here,  which  will  affect  our  con- 
dition in  the  future,  something  which  will  make 
that  future  life  one  of  endless  happiness.  And 
shall  we  not  pay  more  attention  to  a system  which 
gives  satisfactory  information  in  regard  to  all  these 
things,  than  to  all  the  systems  in  the  world  beside? 
Surely  you  will  see  the  propriety  of  so  doing. 

But  young  men  should  endeavor  to  know  whether 
Christianity  is  true  or  false,  as  a matter  of  satisfac- 
tion to  themselves;  whether  they  are  much  con- 
cerned about  being  governed  by  its  precepts  or  not. 
If  you  have  made  up  your  mind  to  pursue  a certain 
course,  irrespective  of  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the 
Bible,  jmu  ought  still  to  be  acquainted  with  its 
teachings.  For  if  you  are  voluntarily  ignorant  of 
its  principles,  you  give  evidence  that  you  have  de- 
termined to  walk  in  the  dark  in  preference  to  the 
clearest  light,  on  the  one  hand,  or  on  the  other, 
that  you  fear  that  investigation  might  induce  you 
24 


282 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


to  change  yonr  mind.  You  should  always  he  will- 
ing to  come  to  the  light,  however  distinctly  it  may 
reveal  to  you  your  deformities  and  imperfections. 
Whatever  may  be  your  opinions,  you  should  he 
open  to  conviction,  and  should  always  be  ready  to 
renounce  eiuoneous  ideas,  wheU)  by  investigation, 
you  learn  that  they  are  such. 

But  then  you  can  not  judge  as  to  the  truth  or  false- 
hood of  the  Christian  religion,  until  you  have  inves- 
tigated its  claims  to  be  of  divine  origin.  Thrown, 
as  you  may  expect  to  be  in  a country  like  this, 
among  men  whose  opinions  vary  so  much  on  this 
subject,  it  is  necessary  that  you  should  have  well- 
deiined  and  established  opinions  of  your  own,  and 
they  should  be  the  result  of  close  investigation, 
formed,  too,  after  mature  deliberation.  If  not, 
your  mind  will  perpetually  be  unsettled.  You  -will 
often  find  yourself  halting  between  two  opinions. 
Sometimes  satisfied  with  your  condition,  then 
again  doubting  as  to  the  results  of  the  course 
which  you  are  pursuing.  Whether  Christianity 
he  true  or  false,  men,  as  a general  thing,  feel  moi-e 
interest  in  regard  to  it,  than  they  do  in  regard  to 
any  thing  else.  And  this,  too,  whether  they  give 
us  an  expression  of  their  feelings  or  not. 

As  a general  rule,  men  spend  their  views  quite 
freely  on  this  subje^;  some  contending  that  the 
Bible  is  true,  others  mat  it  is  false.  And  while  we 
listen  to  them,  we  shall,  if  we  are  still  in  the  dark 
by  inattention  to  its  teachings,  find  ourselves  in- 
clined first  to  one  side,  then  to  the  other.  In  look- 
ing at  this  fact,  we  have  often  thought  that  men, 
who  occupy  just  such  ground,  are  the  most  miser- 
able men  to  be  found  in  the  world. 

Further  upon  this  point,  we  are  fully  persuaded, 
in  our  own  minds,  that  no  man  would  oppose  the 
religion  of  the  Bible,  or  doubt  the  justness  of  its 
claims,  if  he  would  pay  proper  attention  to  the  evi- 


INVESTIGATION  OP  CHEISTIANITY.  283 


dences  of  its  truth.  We  have  long  been  satisfied 
as  to  the  correctness  of  the  position  here  assumed. 
But  as  we  intend  noticing  this  point  more  particu- 
larly in  another  part  of  this  lecture,  we  will  only 
state  at  present,  that  there  are  so  many  instances 
which  go  to  establish. the  fact  just  stated,  that  we 
are  at  loss  to  know  how  any  candid  man  can,  for 
a moment,  doubt  as  to  its  correctness. 

You  are,  doubtless,  acquainted  with  individuals 
who  were  once  opposed  to  the  Christian  religion. 
They  seemed  to  be,  and  doubtless  were  in  earnest, 
and  thought,  like  St.  Paul,  “ that  they  ought  to  do 
many  things  contrary  to  the  name  of  Jesus  of  Ya- 
zareth.”  They  were  fierce  in  their  attacks,  bold  in 
their  declarations,  and  reckless  in  their  conduct. 
Yow,  howevei',  they  occupy  different  ground  alto- 
gether. Instead  of  opposing  Christianity,  they  are 
trying  to  advance  its  interests  in  the  world.  In- 
stead of  saying  it  is  false,  they  positively  declare  it 
to  be  true.  Instead  of  trampling  upon  its  precepts 
they  delight  in  being  governed  by  its  teachings. 

Well,  why,  we  ask,  such  a change?  We  answer, 
that  something  has  been  said  or  done  which  ar- 
rested their  attention,  and  directed  it  to  the  evi- 
dences of  the  truth  of  Christianity.  They  have 
examined  its  claims,  and  are,  as  the  result  of  such 
examination,  satisfied  as  to  its  truth. 

It  may  be  said,  we  know,  that  such  men  have 
hypocritically  professed  Christianity  from  prospects 
of  temporal  advantage,  and,  therefore,  they  are 
not  sincere  in  their  pretensions.  But  we  ask, 
what  right  have  we  to  say  that  such  men  are  dis- 
honest now,  and  that  they  were  honest  before  the 
change  here  referred  to?  If  we  are  to  speculate 
about  this  matter  at  all,  we  are  bound  to  say  that 
it  is  much  more  probable  that  they  were  dishonest 
in  the  former,  than  in  the  latter  condition.  For 
in  renouncing  infidelity,  such  men  are  renouncing 


284 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


long-cherislied.  opinions,  and  are  adopting  notions 
to  which  they  have  long  been  opposed.  Hence  it 
is  reasonable  to  suppose  that,  in  adopting  such 
opinions,  they  must  have  been  satisfied  as  to  their 
correctness  after  diligent  examination. 

We  know  not  that  we  caju  more  forcibly  illus- 
trate the  importance  of  investigating  the  doctrines 
and  the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  Christianity, 
than  by  noticing  some  things  which  lead  directly 
to  infidelity;  and  we  wish  the  young  reader  to 
notice  particularly  this  part  of  the  subject. 

We  remark,  first,  that  a want  of  information 
leads  to  a disbelief  in  Christianity. 

We  do  not  mean  to  say  here  that  ignorance  as 
to  science,  natural  philosophy,  civil  government, 
and  the  like,  lead  to  infidelity,  although  this  may 
be  true  in  many  instances;  for  a man  may  be 
ignorant  of  all  these,  and  yet  be  a firm  believer 
in  the  truth  of  the  Bible.  But  we  do  mean  to 
say  that  to  be  ignorant  of  the  Bible,  and  the  evi- 
dences of  its  inspiration,  does  lead  to  unbelief, 
and  to  all  its  concomitant  evils;  and  you  will  find, 
by  examination,  that  nine  out  of  ten  who  profess 
infidelity  are  ignorant  of  the  Scriptures. 

It  is  true  that  such  men  read  the  Bible,  hear 
sermons,  and  listen  to  lectures  and  conversations 
on  the  various  topics  of  Christianity,  and  have 
every  opportunity  of  becoming  familiar  with  its 
principles,  but  they  pay  but  little  attention  to 
them.  They  do  not  see  the  great  importance  of 
looking  carefully  into  such  things;  and  the  result 
is,  they  are  almost  entirely  ignorant  of  them. 
Their  minds  have  been  running  all  the  time  upon 
something  else.  From  the  days  of  their  youth, 
they  have  been  earnestly  engaged  in  seeking  for 
worldly  distinction.  They  have  a strong  desire 
to  climb  to  the  highest  pinnacle  of  fame,  to  live 
above  the  common  masses  of  mankind,  that  they 


INVESTIGATION  OF  CHEISTIANITY.  285 

miglit  thereby  secure  the  praise  of  men;  or  they 
have  been  engaged  in  perplexing  business  all  their 
s lives,  trying  to  secure  to  themselves  a vast  fortune, 
that  they  might  live  in  ease  and  splendor;  or  else 
they  have  suffered  themselves  to  become  bewil- 
„ dered  in  pursuit  of  worldly  pleasure,  and  have 
I been  trying  to  drink  at  all  its  streams,  and  to 
t secure  happiness  by  following  their  natural  in- 
I clinations;  and,  consequently,  “they  have  neither 
f ability,  inclination  nor  leisure  to  enter  into  critical 
discussions  concerning  the  truth  of  Christianity.” 

And  now,  how  easily  may  such  men  be  deceived 
by  the  advocates  of  infidelity,  and  cheated  out  of 
the  faith  which  was  taught  them  by  their  fathers ! 
At  first  they  seem  startled  on  hearing  any  objec- 
i tion  to  the  truth  of  the  Christian  religion,  for  they 
have  always  been  taught  to  believe  that  it  was 
" true;  but  as  they,  from  a want  of  examination,  or 
i from  ignorance  of  its  doctrines,  and  of  the  evi- 
dences of  its  truth,  are  unprepared  to  answer  the 
objections  which  are  urged  by  infidels,  they  at 
once  suppose  they  are  mistaken  in  their  views, 
and  are  ready,  without  refiection,  to  join  in  with 
those  whose  object  is  to  pull  down  the  strong- 
holds of  Chi’istianity. 

I blow,  this  is  not  the  case  with  those  who  pay 
attention  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible,  and  to  the 
evidences  of  its  truth.  Says  Mr.  Watson,  a close 
observer  of  such  things,  “ It  is  a singular  fact,  that 
wherever  the  Book  of  Cod  is  least  known,  there 
* is  the  most  infidelity.  The  most  accute  infidel 
that  ever  wrote  against  Christianity  confessed  that 
he  had  never  read  the  ISTew  Testament  through. 

' When  measures  were  adopted,  by  a band  of  in- 
[ fidels,  to  spread  their  own  principles  throughout 
I Europe,  in  what  'countries  had  they  the  greatest 
success?  Where  the  Bible  was  kept  from  the 
people;  in  France  especially,  where  they  were 


286 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


predisposed,  by  their  national  habits,  to  receive 
any  kind  of  fashion,  if  communicated  by  vut  and 
ridicule — infidelity  spread  extensively.  Attempts 
were  made  in  our  own  country ; infidel  books  were 
widely  circulated.  If  we  have  been,  in  a great 
measure,  preserved  from  this  pestilent  fashion,  it 
is  because  tbe  truth  of  God  has  been  more  gene- 
rally known,  and  that  because  it  has  been  more 
faithfully  preached  and  taught,  not  only  in  our 
pulpits,  but  in  our  schools  and  families.  I know 
that  infidelity  had  some  success ; but  it  was  chiefly 
among  those  who  had  never  had  the  advantage 
of  Christian  education. 

Again,  the  mind  of  the  individual  who  has 
never  investigated  the  science  of  Christianity,  is 
subject  to  erroneous  impressions,  which  are  in- 
jurious in  their  tendency,  from  the  fact  that  they 
lead  ultimately  to  a rejection  of  the  Bible. 

This  has  already  been  intimated  in  the  pre- 
ceding part  of  this  lecture,  but  deserves  to  be 
noticed  more  particularly.  K you  would  realize 
fully  the  truth  of  this  proposition,  examine  the 
history  of  those  who  are  now  confinned  infidels, 
and  see  how  easily  they  were  led  astray  at  the 
start,  and  how  slender  the  foundation  upon  which 
they  now  stand.  This  man  is  an  infidel,  in  senti- 
ments and  in  practice,  because  his  father  disbe- 
lieved the  Bible,  and  said  it  Avas  written  by  men 
who  were  uninspired,  but  never  stopped  to  inves- 
tigate the  matter,  and  to  see  whether  his  father 
was  right  or  wrong  in  his  opinions.  That  one  is 
an  unbeliever  in  the  Bible,  from  the  fact  that  an  ' 
associate  of  his,  in  his  younger  days,  was  in  the 
habit  of  declaring  that  the  Bible  was  a forgery, 
from  beginning  to  end;  quoting,  it  may  be,  at  the 
same  time,  the  language  of  some  writer  who  was  i 
as  ignorant  of  the  Bible  as  he  Avho  made  the  false  i 
declaration. 


INVESTIGATIOlSr  OF  CHRISTIANITY.  287 

Having  too  much  confidence  in  the  judgment 
of  his  associate,  he  has  never  examined  the  evi- 
dence of  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  and  is  entirely 
ignorant  of  the  fact  that  it  was  given  by  inspira- 
tion of  God.  A third  will  tell  you  that  he  is  an 
infidel,  from  the  fact  that  he  has  investigated  the 
doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion,  and  can  find 
no  evidence  of  its  truth.  And  yet,  if  you  will 
question  him  closely,  you  will  soon  pei’ceive  that 
he  has  examined  the  writings  of  infidels  only, 
and  that  he  has  left  untouched  the  clear  and 
positive  evidences  of  its  truth.  And  so  we  might 
go  on,  if  it  was  necessary,  but  we  forbear. 

A striking  instance  of  what  has  just  been  said, 
occurred  a short  time  since,  not  far  from  where 
we  now  write.  An  infidel,  on  board  of  one  of 
our  western  steamers,  was  loud  and  clamorous  in 
his  abuse  of  the  Bible.  He  was  asked,  finally,  if 
he  ever  read  the  Bible.  He  ans'wered  that  he  had. 
His  objections  to  it  were  then  called  for,  and  his 
reply  was,  “it  contains  a great  many  falsehoods;” 
and  then  gave,  as  an  instance,  the  following:  “The 
Bible  says  that  Moses  lived  before  the  flood;  and 
yet  it  represents  him  as  giving  a detailed  account 
of  all  its  particulars:”  and  then,  w'ith  an  air  of 
triumph,  asserted  that  these  contradictory  state- 
ments were  set  forth  in  the  Bible.  How,  let  the 
young  reader  remember  that  this  infidel  had  said 
that  he  had  read  the  Bible,  and  he  will  at  once 
be  able  to  decide  whether  he  had  read  it  carefully 
or  not,  when  he  is  told  (though  he  has  ■ learned 
this  before)  that  the  Bible  emphatically  represents 
Moses  as  living  after  the  flood,  and  was,  of  course, 
capable  of  giving  a correct  account  of  all  that  oc- 
curred in  connection  with  it,  so  far  as  it  was  neces- 
sary for  man  to  be  informed  in  regard  to  it. 

But  we  should  investigate  the  science  of  Chris- 
tianity that  we  may  avoid  the  influence  of  preju- 


288 


LECTUEES  TO  TOEXG  MEX. 


dice,  wliieli  leads  directly  to  infidelity  in  its  worst 
stage.  We  say  in  its  worst  stage,  because  the 
mind  under  its  influence,  stubbornly  resists  the 
light  of  divine  truth. 

Prejudice,  in  fact,  is  one  of  the  worst  evils  that 
ever  afflicted  the  mind  of  man.  A young  man 
may  be  inclined  to  infidehty  from  ignorance,  from 
inattention  to  the  teachings  of  the  Bible,  from 
improper  influences  and  examples  in  the  days  of 
his  youth,  or  from  evil  communications,  and  yet 
his  mind  may  be  open  to  conviction;  and  by  an 
examination  of  the  truths  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion, he  may  be  brought  back  from  the  error  of 
his  ways.  But  when  the  mind  is  completely  un- 
der the  influence  of  prejudice  against  the  teach- 
ings of  the  Bible,  it  is  with  the  greatest  difficulty 
that  such  an  one  can  be  brought  to  yield  to  its 
claims.  Nothing  less  than  an  array  of  facts  and 
evidences  which  amount  almost  to  positive  demon- 
stration can  induce  him  to  renounce  his  infidehty, 
and  practice  the  precepts  of  Christianity. 

Look,  for  a moment,  at  the  evils  of  prejudice  in 
the  minds  of  those  who  profess  to  be  seeking  ear- 
nestly for  the  truth.  Many  of  them  go  so  far  as 
to  doubt  the  necessity  of  revealed  religion  alto- 
gether. They  assume  the  ground,  for  want  of 
information,  that  reason  is  sufficient  to  direct  men 
into  the  path  of  happiness,  especially  when  it  is 
enlightened  and  assisted  by  the  works  of  nature; 
and,  therefore,  maintain  that  man  has  no  use  for 
the  Bible. 

But,  if  they  would  but  open  their  eyes  and  ex- 
amine this  subject  carefully,  they  would  soon  per- 
ceive that  the  greatest  philosophers,  and  the  most 
profound  students,  unassisted  by  the  light  of  inspi- 
ration, have  been  unable  to  discover  the  true 
character  of  the  Divine  Being,  or  the  way  that 
leads  to  holiness.  Four  thousand  years  had  passed 


INVESTIGATION  OF  CHKISTIANITY,  289 


away,  before  the  Christian  era,  and  surely  in  this 
time  the  world  had  been  fairly  tried;  at  least  to 
a sufficient  extent  to  convince  any  man  who  will 
reflect  properly,  that  without  a revelation  from 
God,  man  would  have  been  in  the  dark  in  regard 
to  matters  of  the  greatest  importance. 

But  then,  such  men  doubt  the  existence  of  ex- 
perimental religion  in  the  human  heart. 

. They  consider  it  to  be  fanaticism,  the  result  of 
diseased  or  fanciful  imagination;  and  treat  those 
who  profess  to  enjoy  religion  with  contempt.  ITow 
suppose  such  men  Avould  pause  and  reflect;  first, 
upon  the  number  and  character  of  those  who  do 
profess  and  have  professed  to  enjoy  religion.  And 
secondly,  that  they  had  no  temporal  advantage  in 
view  in  doing  so.  And  lastly,  that  they  adhered 
to  it  more  firmly  than  ever  in  their  dying  hour — 
that  hour  when  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that 
men  will  be  honest.  If  they  would  do  this,  would 
not  their  views  and  feelings  undergo  a change? 
f Would  tliey  not  see  the  inconsistency  of  the  views 
I which  they  now  entertain. 

* But  one  of  the  most  prominent  reasons  for  in- 
i!  vestigating  the  science  of  Christianity,  is,  that  a 
I fair  and  candid  examination  of  that  subject,  will, 
ijin  most  instances,  produce  conviction  as  to  its 
divinity. 

After  paying  a good  deal  of  attention  to  this 
[subject,  we  are  well  satisfied  that  an  investigation 
[of  the  doctrines  and  the  evidences  of  the  truth  of 
Christianity,  will  lead  to  a firm  persuasion  of  its 
divine  origin.  Thousands  who  ai’e  now  opposed 
to  Christianity,  to  the  Bible,  to  the  Christian  min- 
istry, and  to  the  Church,  with  her  peculiar  insti- 
tutions and  ordinances,  would  cease  to  oppose  any 
or  all  these,  if  they  could  but  be  induced  to  lay 
aside  their  infidelity  long  enough  to  investigate 
the  evidences  that  Christianity  is  of  God. 

25 


290 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


To  exemplify  the  happy  results  of  investigatiou, 
we  may  notice  the  case  of  J^athaniel,  as  given  in  the 
first  chapter  of  the  Gospel  of  St.  John.  He  was  full 
of  prejudice  against  Christ  and  against  the  doctrines 
of  the  Gospel,  and  doubtless,  tried  eveiw  way,  as  did 
the  rest  of  the  Jews,  to  convince  himself  that  Christ 
Avas  a mere  man;  knowing  that  if  he  could  suc- 
ceed in  this  undertaking,  he  need  have  no  further 
uneasiness  in  regard  to  the  precepts  of  his  Gospel. 
In  the  meantime,  Philip,  a friend  of  Xathaniefs 
became  convinced  that  Christ  was  the  true  Mes- 
siah ; that  he  was,  in  a Avord,  the  SaAuour  of  the 
Avorld.  Shortly  afterward,  he  fiudeth  Xathaniel, 
and  said  nnto  him,  “MM  have  found  him  of  Avhom 
Moses  in  the  law  and  the  prophets  did  write.”  In 
other  woi’ds,  “I  am  convinced  that  Christ  is  the 
son  of  God,  and  that  his  doctrines  are  true.  Xa- 
thaniel’s  prejudices  were  immediately  aroused,  and 
we  hear  him  inquire,  “ Can  any  good  thing  come 
out  of  Xazareth?”  Philip  seemed  to  know  from 
experience  something  of  the  results  of  investiga-  ■ 
tion,  and  said  to  Xathaniel,  “Come  and  see.” 
That  is,  come  and  see,  and  hear,  and  examine  for  ' 
yourself. 

Jesus  saAV  Xathaniel  coming  to  him,  and  said 
of  him,  “Behold  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom 
there  is  no  guile.”  Xathaniel  is  at  once  aston- 
ished; and  doubtless  inquired  in  his  mind  (for  he 
begins  now  to  investigate),  how  does  he  knoAV 
that  I am  Avithout  guile  or  hypocrisy?  How  | 
does  he  know  that  I am  in  earnest?  Hoav  does  | 
he  know  anj^  thing  about  the  state  of  my  mind? 
Hence,  Ave  hear  him  inquire,  “M’hence  knowest 
thou  me  ?”  Said  J esus,  “ Before  that  Philip  called 
thee,  while  thou  wast  under  the  fig-tree,  I saAV  ■ 
thee.”  Here  he  was  convinced  that  Christ  kncAV  ■ 
his  heart.  That  he  was  in  the  presence  of  an 
infallible  Being.  And  at  once,  conviction  flashes 


INVESTIGATION  OF  CHEISTIANITY,  291 


across  his  mind ; he  renounces  his  unbelief  in  the 
Divinity  of  Christ,  and  we  hear  him  exclaim, 
“ Thou  art  the  Son  of  Grod,  thou  art  the  Kine  of 
Israel.” 

We  give  another  instance  which  may  be  said  to 
he  twofold  in  its  character,  and  is  of  more  mod- 
ern date.  We  refer  to  the  case  of  Lord  Littleton 
and  Air.  West.  They  wei’e  noted  infidels  of  their 
daj^,  and  were  in  the  habit  of  opposing  Cliristian- 
ity  to  the  utmost  of  their  ability  and  influence. 

On  a certain  occasion  they  met  together,  whether 
for  the  purpose  of  building  each  other  up  in  the 
principles  of  infidelity,  or  for  some  other  purpose, 
we  are  not  advised.  Be  this  as  it  ma}^  the  result 
of  their  deliberations  wms,  a determination  upon 
the  part  of  each,  to  make  a renewed  and  vigorous 
attack  upon  the  evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  Chris- 
tian religion.  They  intended  to  show  to  the  world, 
that  Christianity  Avas  fabricated  by  man’s  ingenu- 
ity, and  deserved  to  be  driven  from  the  earth  as 
a grand  imposition  upon  the  human  family. 

Each  one  selected  his  proposition.  West,  if  we 
remember  correctly,  (one  of  them  at  least,)  selected 
^ the  resurrection  of  Christ,  Lord  Lyttleton,  the  con- 
version of  St.  Paul.  The  first  felt  confident  that 
he  could  prove  that  the  story  of  Christ’s  resurrec- 
tion Avas  a forgery.  The  second,  that  he  could  de- 
monstrate that  St.  Paul,  on  his  way  to  Damascus, 
saAV  no  supernatural  light,  heai’d  no  supernatural 
‘ sound  or  voice,  but  Avas  decewed  on  the  one  hand, 
or  misrepresented  the  case  on  the  other.  Having 
thus  arranged  things,  they  appointed  a time  to  meet, 

' and  put  their  essays  together,  and  publish  them  to 
the  world.  They  separated,  and  each  one  applies 
himself  to  his  task. 

In  imagination,  we  see  Air.  West  investigating 
the  truth  of  Christ’s  resurrection.  In  vain,  does 
jhe  look  for  a contradictory  statement,  or  for  some- 


292 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


thing  upon  which  to  predicate  his  belief  that  the 
evangelists  were  a set  of  liars.  The  further  he  ex- 
amined the  “ story”  of  the  resurrection,  the  more 
clearly  does  he  see  that  Christ  did  arise  from  the 
dead  on  the  third  day  after  his  crucifixion.  He  dis- 
tinctly saw  that  the  apostles  had  given  a true  and 
faithful  account  of  the  resurrection  of  their  Master; 
and  his  mind  was  completely  overwhelmed  by  the 
power  of  divine  truth.  He  yielded  to  his  convic- 
tions, and  was  soon  a soundly  converted  man.  And 
now,  instead  of  writing  an  essay  against  Christian- 
ity, he  writes  one  in  favor  of  its  truth ; and  his 
theme  is,  “ now  is  Christ  risen  from  the  dead,  and 
become  the  first  fruits  of  them  that  slept.”  And 
his  arguments,  in  favor  of  the  truth  of  Chrisfis 
resurrection,  will  never  be  refuted  while  time 
itself  sliall  endure. 

But  how  of  Lord  Lyttleton,  and  what  was  the 
result  of  investigation  in  his  case  ? Was  he  changed 
from  an  infidel  to  a firm  believer  in  the  Christian 
religion  by  an  examination  of  the  circumstances 
connected  with  the  conversion  of  St.  Paul  ? We  an- 
swer that  he  was.  And  he  made  that  the  princi2)al 
theme  in  writing  an  essay  in  defense  of  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Bible,  the  influence  of  which  never 
can  he  destroyed  by  the  wit,  satii’e,  or  the  hatred 
of  the  infidel  world. 

They  met  at  the  appointed  time ; hut  0,  what 
a change  in  their  feelings  and  designs ; in  their 
hopes  and  desires,  since  their  last  meeting ! Their 
essays  were  published  to  the  world  in  book  form, 
copies  of  which  may  be  found  both  in  Europe  and 
America. 

In  this  example,  the  young  reader  will  not  fail 
to  see  the  great  importance  of  investigating  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity.  For  in  many  instances 
all  depends  upon  it.  We  might  give  many  other 
instances  of  the  mighty  changes  which  have  been 


Il^fVESTIGATIOlSr  OF  CHEISTIAAnTY.  293 


produced  in  the  minds  of  millions  of  individuals  by 
an  examination  of  the  principles  of  the  Christian 
religion ; hut  those  already  given,  will,  we  hope, 
be  sufficient. 

Now,  youiig  reader,  remember  that  you  are  in  a 
state  of  probation,  surrounded  by  those  whose  ex- 
ample and  influence,  if  you  are  not  very  much  on 
your  guard,  will  lead  you  astray.  Look  well  to 
your  principles,  and  see  that  they  are  well  founded ; 
that  they  are  in  Accordance  with  the  truth  as  re- 
vealed by  the  great  “ I am.”  And  above  all,  seek 
for  that  wisdom  which  cometh  down  from  above, 
aud  it  shall  safely  guide  you  to  everlasting  life. 

We  will  close  this  lecture  in  the  words  of  Amos 
Binny,  when  he  asks,  “ where  do  you  hear  the 
Bible  contemned,  and  its  authority  spurned?  It 
is  among  the  ignorant  and  vicious.  Where  does 
it  receive  unmeasured  insult  aud  scorn,  but  in  gam- 
bling-houses, tippling-houses,  and  other  evil  places  ? 
Who  are  they  that  sneer  about  the  indelicacies  of 
the  Bible,  but  those  whose  imagination  and  heart 
: are  predisposed  to  such  things  ? The  Bible  is  not 
unchaste,  but  a consuming  fire  to  all  iniquity.  This 
is  the  true  reason  why  unjust,  profane,  and  impure 
' men  complain  of  it.  As,  therefore,  the  difficulty 
i with  unbelievers  is  one  of  the  heart,  not  of  the  in- 
i!  tellect,  never  be  inclined  to  dispute  with  them  about 
ithe  evidences  of  Christianity.  In  examining  the 
subject  of  its  evidences  ourselves,  we  should,  first 
I of  all,  ask  the  question,  “ am  I willing  to  become 
jail  that  Christianity  requires,  provided  it  can  be 
i proved  to  be  from  heaven  ? Whoever  can  answer 
;this  question  in  the  affirmative,  will  find  every  ob- 
■ struction  to  the  fullest  faith  removed.” 


LECTURE  XY. 


ON  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES. 

Having  noticed  some  of  the  evidences  of  the 
truth  of  the  Bible,  we  think  it  not  out  of  place 
to  present  to  the  mind  of  the  young  reader  some 
considerations  which  should  induce  him  to  read 
and  study  its  contents. 

The  present  may  be  said  to  be  a reading  age. 
Any  and  everywhere  throughout  our  country,  as 
well  as  in  our  cities  and  larger  towns,  you  will 
see  evidences  of  the  fact,  that  the  people  are  in 
the  habit  of  reading ; and  especially  is  this  the 
case  with  the  more  sober  classes  of  society.  Some 
read  for  pastime,  others  for  amusement.  Some  to 
gratify  a propensity  for  things  novel  in  their  char- 
acter ; others,  that  they  be  prepared  to  defend, 
successfully,  some  pai’ticular  theory  in  politics  or 
theology.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  however,  that  so 
few  among  those  who  have  acquired  a taste  for 
reading,  read  those  books  from  which  the  most 
solid  and  useful  information  is  to  be  obtained.  A 
large  majority  of  those  who  read,  are  fond  of 
perusing  the  light  and  trashy  productions  of  the 
day,  which,  for  the  moment,  excite  the  mind  be- 
yond proper  bounds  ; and  if  not  injurious  in  their 
tendency,  produce  no  good  effect. 

But  what  is  most  of  all  to  be  regretted,  is,  that 
the  Bible,  at  the  present  day,  is,  comparatively 
speaking,  almost  entirely  neglected  by  the  gener- 
ality of  the  people.  How  few,  in  this  laud  of 
religious  privileges,  may  be  said  to  be  Bible  read- 
ers ! Y^e  speak  here,  not  of  infidels  or  practical 
unbelievers,  but  of  those  who  believe  the  Bible  to 
(294) 


ON  HEADING  THE  SCEIPTUEES.  295 


be  the  Word  of  God.  How  many  young  men. 
are  to  be  found  in  this  country,  who,  although 
they  have  had  every  opportunity  of  being  familiar 
with  the  Scriptures,  are  almost  as  ignorant  of  their 
contents  as  if  they  had  never  seen  them ! Talk 
to  them  of  novels  and  literary  productions,  of 
science  and  new  inventions,  and,  especially,  of 
politics,  wealth,  and  fashions,  and  of  all  these 
they  seem  to  have,  at  least,  a general  idea;  and, 
with  a few  exceptions,  it  is  proper  and  right  that 
they  should  have  correct  ideas  of  such  things. 

But  talk  to  them  of  a book  which  reveals  to 
man  the  existence  and  character  of  the  Supreme 
Buler  of  the  universe,  the  duties  which  they  owe 
to  him  and  to  their  fellow-beings,  and  it  may  be 
said  of  thousands  of  the  young  men  of  this  country, 
all  that  they  know  is,  that  there  is  a book  gener- 
ally recognized  as  being  of  divine  authority.  If 
they  lived  in  a land  of  heathenism,  where  the 
Bible  is  scarcely  ever  seen  or  heard  of,  they  could 
readily  be  excused;  but  situated  as  they  are,  in 
this  respect,  they  are  without  any  excuse  what- 
ever, if  they  are  ignorant  of  its  teachings. 

We  often  meet  with  persons,  who  seem  to  be 
surprised  that  there  is  so  little  virtue  and  so  much 
vice  in  a country  where  there  is  so  much  learning, 
science,  and  philosophy,  and,  especially  so  many 
religious  institutions.  They  seem  not  to  under- 
stand why  it  is  that  the  people  are  so  wicked  in 
their  dispositions,  immoral  in  their  conduct,  and 
unjust  in  their  dealings  with  each  other;  where,  as 
they  suppose,  there  is  so  much  to  induce  them  to 
be  otherwise.  We  know,  that  as  to  religious  light 
and  knowledge,  we  have  the  advantage  of  many 
other  nations  and  countries.  But  the  principal 
reason  why  there  is  so  inuch  infidelity,  error,  im- 
morality, discord,  and  unfair  dealing,  as  well  as  so 
many  political  dissensions,  and,  in  a word,  so  much 


296 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


irreligion  in  this  highly-favored  land,  is,  that  the 
masses  of  the  people  do  not  read  the  Bible.  Tliey 
are  not  governed  by  its  precepts,  nor  influenced, 
as  they  should  be,  by  its  teachings. 

And  if  ever  the  institutions  of  this  country  come 
to  nought,  and  her  glory  departs,  and  her  beauty 
and  greatness  are  destroyed,  her  ruin,  in  a poli- 
tical, moral,  and  religious  point  of  view,  may  be 
attrilDuted  mainly  to  a neglect  of  the  teachings  of 
the  Bible.  While  we  need  have  no  fears  as  to  our 
destiny  as  a nation,  as  long  as  the  Word  of  God 
is  our  guide,  its  principles  properly  appreciated, 
and  while  its  precepts  exercise  their  legitimate  in- 
fluence upon  the  minds  and  conduct  of  the  people. 

Having  made  these  general  remarks,  we  notice, 
particulai’ly,  some  of  the  reasons  why  young  men 
shoidd  regularly  and  carefully  read  the  Bible. 

In  the  first  place,  you  should  read  the  Scrip- 
tures, because  they  are  one  of  the  principal  safe- 
guards against  infidelity. 

This  fact  has  been  noticed,  to  some  extent,  in 
another  lecture,  but  deserves  a passing  notice  in 
this. 

Infidelity  can  not  live  where  the  Bible  is  read 
and  understood.  In  fact  it  is  a rare  occurrence  to 
find  a professed  infidel  in  a community  where  the 
doctrines  of  the  Bible  are  generally  received.  And 
if  an  advocate  of  infidelit}^  goes  into  such  a com- 
munity, confident  that  he  will  be  able  to  maintain 
his  infidel  principles,  he  .will  see,  in  the  devotional 
feelings  manifested  by  the  advocates  of  rehgion, 
the  piety  of  their  conversation,  and  the  morality 
of  their  conduct,  such  strong  evidence  of  the  truth 
of  the  Scriptures,  that  he  will  feel  that  his  prin- 
ciples are  unsound,  and  that  he  has  been,  up  to 
this  time,  woefully  imposed  upon  by  a worse  set 
of  impostors  than  he  had  formerl}^  beheved  the 
authors  of  the  Bible  to  be. 


ON  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES.  297 


The  light  of  revelation  is  destructive  to  infidel- 
ity, wherever  it  may  be  found,  no  matter  what 
may  be  the  garb  it  has  assumed,  or  what  may  be 
its  form. 

Show  us  a young  man  who,  in  sunshine  and  in 
storm,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  in  poverty  and 
in  wealth,  has  carefully  and  statedly  read  his  Bible, 
and  we  will  show  you  a young  man  who  will  feel 
himself  degraded  if  he  is  classed  among  professed 
infidels.  Infidels  have  long  since  found,  that  to 
convert  such  young  men  to  infidelity  is  a very 
difficult  matter.  They  may  exhaust  their  wit  and 
ingenuity,  try  their  infidel  books  and  pei’iodicals, 
and  all  shall  be  carefully  interwoven  with  science 
and  philosophy,  that  its  poison  may  not  be  detected, 
but  the  light  of  divine  truth  searches  all  things, 
and  will  always  reveal  the  ruinous  effects  of  infi- 
delity to  the  mind  of  that  individual  who  Avill  pay 
proper  attention  to  it. 

As  an  illustration  of  this  last  statement,  we  may 
be  allowed  to  refer  to  the  case  of  a colored  man, 
who  lived  in  the  western  part  of  Virginia.  He 
was,  at  the  time  here  referred  to,  the  servant  of 
an  inn-keeper.  On  a certain  occasion,  a noted 
infidel  called  at  the  inn,  and,  by  some  means,  after 
: he  had  been  there  a short  time,  he  learned  some- 
thing of  the  character  of  this  servant,  and  of  his 
unshaken  confidence  in  the  truth  of  the  Bible. 
This  infidel  was  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  unsettle 
tlie  faith  of  all  who  believed  in  the  truth  of  re- 
‘ vealed  religion.  Hence  he  must  have  a conversa- 
tion with  this  colored  man.  He  inquired  of  him 
' why  he  believed  the  Bible,  and  requested  him  to 
,1  give  him  some  evidence  of  its  truth  ; stating,  at 
‘ the  same  time,  that  he  could  not  believe  its  doc- 
■1  trines.  The  substance  of  the  answer  was,  “You 
' will  find  the  evidence  of  its  truth  from  the  begin- 
i ning  to  the  end,  if  you  will  read  it  carefully.  It 


298 


LECTURES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


tells  the  truth  on  every  page,  and  I now  feel  its 
power  in  my  heart.”  The  infidel  soon  left  this 
servant  to  enjoy  his  own  opinions  and  feelings, 
for  he  saw  that  he  was  too  well  acquainted  with 
the  Bible  to  be  imposed  upon  by  one  who  knew 
but  little  of  its  doctrines. 

ISTow  we  admit  that  men  may  read  the  Bible, 
and  still  be  infidel  in  their  sentiments;  but  this  is 
very  rarely  the  case  when  the  mind  of  the  indi- 
vidual is  open  to  conviction,  and  when  he  is  can- 
did in  his  investigations. 

Emerson,  a noted  infidel  in  his  day,  read  the 
Bible  regularly;  but  his  object  was,  to  show  that 
one  part  contradicted  another.  A large  portion 
of  his  time  was  spent  in  this  way.  But  in  the 
meantime,  he  paid  no  attention  to  its  beauty,  its 
harmony,  the  sublimity  of  its  doctrines,  or  the 
evidence  of  its  truth.  If  he  had  done  so,  his  mind 
would  have  been  enlightened,  and  he  would  have 
seen  the  error  of  his  way.  But  searching,  as  he 
did,  for  contradictious  in  the  Bible,  we  are  not  as- 
tonished that  he  was  so  blinded  by  unbelief,  as  to 
rejoice,  at  the  end  of  his  labors,  that  his  eiforts 
had  been  crowned  with  success. 

If  he  had  spent  halt'  the  time  in  examining  the 
evidences  of  the  truth  of  the  Bible,  that  he  did  in 
trying  to  convince  the  world  that  it  was  a human 
production,  he  would  have  been  convinced  that 
“all  Scripture  is  given  by  inspii’ation  of  God.” 

The  same  remark  will  hold  good  when  applied 
to  thousands  of  others. 

On  almost  every  page  of  a book  called  the  “Age 
of  Reason,”  written  by  Thomas  Paine,  we  find  pos- 
itive evidence  that  he  was  entirely  unacquainted 
with  the  teachings  of  the  Bible.  Take  one  in- ' 
stance  as  an  example  of  his  ignorance.  He  says 
that  the  Bible  teaches  that  “ Christ  was  on  the 
earth  only  some  four  or  five  days  after  his  resur- 


OlSr  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES.  299 


rection.”  And  yet,  if  the  reader  will  turn  to  the 
beginning  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  he  will  there 
find  the  following  language:  “Christ  showed  him- 
self alive  after  his  passion  by  many  infallible  proofs, 
being  seen  of  the  Apostles  forty  days,  and  speak- 
ing of  the  things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of 
God.”  Here  you  see  that  “instead  oi  four,  you 
perceive  there  were  forty  days  between  the  cruci- 
fixion and  the  ascension.” 

Many  other  examples  of  the  same  kind  might 
be  pointed  out,  but  this  should  be  sufficient  to  put 
you  on  your  guard  in  reference  to  the  writings  of 
such  men;  and,  at  the  same  time,  shows  indirectly 
that  a knowledge  of  the  Scriptures  is  calculated 
to  shield  us  from  the  withering  effects  of  infidelity. 

Another  reason  why  young  men  should  read  the 
Scriptures  is,  that  they  guard  the  mind  against  the 
influence  of  error. 

It  is  very  important  that  we  should,  as  far  as 
possible,  have  correct  views  concerning  all  theo- 
logical and  moral  questions;  if  our  ideas  are  con- 
fused concerning  these  things,  we  shall  constantly 
be  liable  to  be  wrong.  Ignorance,  in  any  respect, 
is  destructive  of  happiness,  and  more  especially 
when  applied  to  the  Bible.  To  be  ignorant  of  its 
teachings,  is  to  live  in  total  darkness,  and  to  be 
tlie  dupe  of  every  impostor.  You  should  remem- 
ber that  “ ignorance  is  the  parent  of  vice,”  that  it 
gives  rise  to  more  than  one  half  the  evils  with 
which  mankind  is  affiicted.  And  you  should  bear 
in  mind,  that  it  is  an  exceedingly  difficult  matter 
to  be  practically  right,  and  theoretically  wrong  on 
any  moral  or  theological  question. 

To  have  correct  ideas  of  the  various  objects 
with  which  we  are  surrounded  in  the  natural 
world,  of  its  government,  and  of  the  general  and 
special  providence  of  God;  to  have  proper  concep- 
tions of  the  philosophy  of  the  human  mind,  its 


300 


LECTUEES  TO  YOEXG  MEX. 


power  to  reason,  its  capacity  to  understand  and 
enjoy,  we  must  understand  the  Scriptures.  The 
voice  of  nature  is  never  heard  where  the  Bible  is 
unknown.  In  countries  where  the  Bible  is  not, 
God  is  excluded  from  the  government  of  tlie 
world.  “ To  them,”  who  are  destitute  of  its  teach- 
ings, “it  appears  that  one  event  happens  to  all. 
One  nation  rises,  and  another  falls;  and  every  oc- 
currence is  either  attributed  to  chance,  to  blind 
fate,  or  to  the  caprice  of  deities  without  wisdom, 
and  without  mercy.”  “But  wherever  the  living 
oracles  come,  there  every  star,  and  mountain,  and 
river,  proclaims  its  glorious  INIaker.” 

It  is  by  reading  and  understanding  the  Scrip- 
tures, that  we  are  enabled  to  perceive  clearly,  the 
distinction  between  good  and  evil. 

What  does  mere  human  philosophy,  unaided 
by  the  light  of  revelation,  teach  on  this  subject? 
How  little  did  Plato  and  Socrates,  Seneca  and 
Solon,  the  illustrious  Grecian  sage,  know  of  right 
and  wrong?  They  were  surrounded  “by  palpable 
darkness.  Their  glimmering  rays  of  reason  only 
made  the  darkness  more  \dsble,  and  confusion  more 
confused.” 

The  most  that  such  men  could  do  was  to  guess 
that  some  things  were  to  be  avoided  as  being  evil 
in  their  tendency,  and  that  other  things  might  be 
done  as  being  conducive  to  the  happiness  of  man. 
We  have  our  philosophers  and  wise  men  at  the 
present  day,  who  profess  to  teach  men  the  good 
and  the  right  way.  Their  minds  seem  to  pene- 
trate the  secrets  of  nature,  and  to  comprehend 
every  thing  that  comes  within  their  range.  But 
when  they  leave  the  light  of  divine  truth,  all  is 
darkness  and  confusion.  Man,  left  to  himself, 
never  could  have  had  correct  ideas,  either  of  good 
or  evil.  At  every  step  through  life,  he  would  have 
been  doubting  and  hesitating  as  to  the  course  to 


ON  EEADING  THE  SCRIPTUEES.  301 


be  pursued.  But  the  Bible  comes  to  us  clothed 
with  divine  authority,  and  points  with  unerring 
certainty  to  the  path  which  leads  to  present  and 
eternal  happiness. 

This  idea  is  beautifully  illustrated  by  Mr.  W at- 
son  when  he  says:  “ Were  we  traveling  in  a foreign 
country,  the  very  fruits  of  which  were  unknown  to 
us ; suppose  some  were  poisonous  and  some  good  for 
food;  and  often  that  which  was  the  most  sightly 
and  inviting  to  the  eye  was  the  most  injurious; 
should  we  deem  it  any  thing  but  an  act  of  kind- 
ness in  some  inhabitant  of  the  country  to  instruct 
us  in  the  difference,  and  thus  guard  us  from  dan- 
ger, and  minister  to  our  secui’ity  and  enjoyment? 
God  has  done  this  for  us.  He  hath  in  his  word 
written  on  every  thing  about  us,  ‘this  is  good,’  or 
‘that  is  evil.’  And  when  he  enjoins  us  to  choose 
life,  his  authority  is  mercy:  that  rule  is  the  teii- 
derest  love.” 

But,  then,  you  should  read  and  understand  the 
Bible,  that  you  may  not  be  imposed  upon  by  those 
who  profess  to  be  wise,  and  to  be  capable  of  teach- 
ing others  what  to  do,  when  really  they  have  but 
little  regard  for  the  Bible,  and  less  for  the  welfare 
of  man. 

There  are  now,  as  there  were  in  the  days  of  the 
apostles,  a great  many  false  teachers  in  the  world. 
They  are  either  ignorant  of  the  Bible,  or  have 
some  evil  design  in  view,  which  leads  them  to 
depart  from  its  precepts.  Their  principal  object 
is  to  lead  men  astray;  and  unfox’tunately  for  the 
young  men  of  this  country,  in  many  instances, 
they  are  but  too  successful.  They  profess  to  teach 
the  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  and  yet  they 
“ lie  in  wait  to  deceive  ” those  whose  minds  are 
not  well  fortified  by  the  inffuence  of  divine  truth. 

In  fact,  there  is  a class  of  divines  in  this  couu- 
tiy,  as  well  as  in  various  other  portions  of  the 


302 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


world,  wlio  make  great  pretensions  to  learning 
and  piety,  (we  need  not  name  the  sect  to  which 
they  belong,)  and  profess  to  teach  the  way  of  God 
perfectly",  and  yet  it  is  evident,  from  all  their 
movements,  that  they  designedly  teach  that  which 
is  false,  and,  as  far  as  they  can,  hide  the  truth 
from  the  minds  of  the  people.  Look  well  to  this 
matter,  and  remember  that  the  Bible  is  a sure  de- 
fense against  all  false  doctrines,  and  is  a sure  guide 
to  truth.  Make  yourself  familiar  with  its  teach- 
ings; and,  in  all  difficult  questions,  let  the  follow- 
ing be  your  motto:  “To  the  law  and  to  the  testi- 
mony : if  they  speak  not  according  to  these  words, 
it  is  because  they  have  no  light  in  them.” 

Man  may  err  in  judgment,  and  thereby  pursue 
the  wrong  course;  he  may  teach  false  doctrines, 
and  thereby  lead  many  astray;  but  that  yoimg 
man  who  takes  the  Bible  for  his  guide,  may  feel 
assured  that  he  is  walking  in  the  light  of  truth ; 
and  that,  if  he  will  be  governed  by  its  dictates, 
it  will  illuminate  his  mind,  rectify  the  judgment, 
give  a new  bias  to  the  will  and  affections,  shield 
him  from  the  ruinous  influences  of  error  and  im- 
position, and  guide  him  at  last  to  the  land  of 
eternal  rest. 

But  finally,  on  this  point,  young  men  should 
read  the  Bible,  because  it  reveals  to  them  every 
thing  which  bears  directly  or  indirectly  upon  their 
present  happiness  and  future  well-being. 

“ It  reveals  to  us  the  true  knowledge  of  the 
nature,  perfections  and  will  of  God.  It  reveals 
to  us  the  knowledge  of  man’s  original  condition, 
his  primeval  state,  his  fall,  and  consequent  misery 
and  ruin.  It  reveals  to  us  the  way  of  our  recovery 
by  the  intervention  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as 
the  Savior  of  the  world.  It  reveals  the  character, 
offices,  work  and  doctrines  of  the  Redeemer.  It 
reveals  clearly  the  way  of  salvation.  It  reveals 


ON  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES.  303 


to  us  the  doctrines  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
and  of  an  eternal  state  of  future  existence.  It 
reveals  the  glories  of  the  heavenly  world  as  the 
dwelling-place  of  the  righteous  for  ever.  It  re- 
veals a place  of  future  woe  as  the  punishment  of 
the  impenitent  and  ungodly.” 

It  really  seems  to  us  that  this  last  reason  should 
be  enough  to  induce  any  young  man  to  read  the 
Scriptures,  not  only  with  care,  but,  also,  with  de- 
light, if  there  was  no  other  reason  that  could  be 
assigned.  Contemplate  the  condition  of  those 
who,  in  regard  to  all  the  points  enumerated  in 
the  above  extract,  have  not  the  light  of  revela- 
tion to  guide  them.  Their  minds  are  filled  with 
doubts.  To  them  the  future  is  all  a mystery. 
Their  minds  are  enveloped  in  the  darkness  of  su- 
perstition. They  are  slaves  to  their  own  passions; 
have  nothing  to  console  them  in  their  hours  of 
distress  and  misfortune,  nor  to  point  them  to  a 
better  state  of  existence. 

But  you  should  ever  remember,  that  if  your 
privileges  and  advantages  are  superior  to  those 
Avho  are  without  a revelation  from  God,  that  your 
responsibilities  are  proportionally  great.  If  you 
have  the  word  of  life  in  your  hands,  and  are  at 
last  found  in  your  sins,  your  account  will  indeed 
be  terrible. 

But  we  design  noticing  briefly  the  grounds 
upon  which  many  young  men  try  to  excuse 
themselves  for  not  reading  the  Scriptures,  and 
wish  to  shoAV,  at  the  same  time,  that  such  ex- 
cuses are  entirely  without  foundation. 

We  are  told,  by  some  of  them,  when  we  urge 
upon  them  the  importance  of  reading  the  Bible, 
that  the  style  in  which  it  is  written  is  out  of 
date;  that  it  is  simply  a dry  detail  of  facts  and 
occurrences,  in  which  they  feel  but  little  interest; 
and,  also,  that  there  is  nothing  in  it  which  is 


304 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEY. 


poetical,  lofty  and  grand;  and,  therefore,  they 
become  tired  while  perusing  its  pages. 

"VVe  reply,  first,  that  the  design  of  the  Dhfine 
Being,  in  giving  us  a revelation  of  his  will,  was 
not  simply  to  amuse  the  mind  and  please  the 
fancy,  to  gratify  our  curiosity,  or  to  interest  us 
by  the  beauty  and  sublimity  of  its  style,  but  to 
enlighten  the  mind  in  matters  of  the  greatest 
possible  importance  to  man.  It  was  to  affect  the 
heart;  to  subdue  the  passions;  to  inform  the  judg- 
ment; to  elevate  the  affections;  to  regulate  the 
desires  and  conduct;  and,  in  a word,  to  guide 
man  into  all  truth. 

But,  after  all,  we  remark  that  there  is  no  book 
in  the  world  which  has  a greater  variety  of  style 
than  is  to  be  found  in  the  Bible;  and  as  for  beauty, 
purity  and  cleai’ness,  it  is  unsurpassed.  The  most 
interesting  and  touching  narratives  in  the  world 
are  to  be  found  in  the  Bible.  Bead,  for  example, 
the  narrative  of  J oseph  being  sold  by  his  brethren ; 
carried  into  Egypt;  being  made  known  to  his 
brethren;  and  where  will  you  find  any  thing 
equal  to  it? 

And  as  to  the  poetry  of  the  Bible,  it  surpasses, 
by  comparison,  any  thing  that  can  he  found  in 
the  writings  of  our  most  celebrated  poets,  whether 
of  ancient  or  modern  times.  If  you  have  the  op- 
portunity, and  will  examine  some  specimens  as 
selected  by  Bishop  Lowth  and  others  from  the  i 
writings  of  the  prophets,  you  will  perceive  that  I 
nothing  can  be  found  in  the  writings  of  Milton, 
Shakspeare,  Young,  Scott,  or  any  other  uninspired 
poet,  that  is  to  he  compared  with  them. 

“Poetry  and  elegance  have  ever  found  their 
finest  models  in  the  Scriptures,  and  the  loftiest  , 
genius  has  not  been  ashamed  to  borrow  its  in- 
spiration from  them.  It  is  not  undeserved  homage 
to  this  sacred  book  to  say,  that  philosophers  and 


ON  EEADING  THE  SCEIPTURES.  305 


great  men  of  other  times  lighted  their  torch  in 
Zion,  and  the  altars  of  learning  caught  their  first 
spark  from  the  flame  that  gleamed  within  her 
temple.” 

But  others  tell  us  that  they  can  not  understand 
the  Bible  when  they  read  it,  from  the  fact,  that 
it  contains  a great  many  mysteries. 

But  if  you  object  to  the  Bible  on  this  account, 
you  may  object  to  every  book  which  treats  of 
science,  upon  the  same  ground.  There  are  mys- 
teries connected  with  almost  every  thing,  both  in 
the  natural  and  spiritual  world.  And  the  fact  that 
the  Bible  contains  some  passages  which  are  a little 
mysterious,  is  no  reason  why  they  should  be  ne- 
glected by  us.  If  the  Bible  contains  some  passages 
which  the  most  cultivated  minds  can  not  fathom, 
it  is  strong  evidence  of  its  divinity,  and  we  should 
be  induced  by  this  consideration,  to  read  it  the 
more  carefully. 

A great  deal  of  truth,  as  revealed  in  the  Bible, 
lies  on  the  surface  of  the  sacred  page,  and  may  be 
easily  understood  by  all.  That  individual  who  has 
the  most  unlearned  and  untutored  mind,  need  not 
be  at  a loss  to  discover  the  duties  that  he  owes  to 
God  and  to  his  fellow-beings.  There  are  other 
portions,  liowever,  which  can  not  be  correctly  un- 
derstood without  study  and  reflection,  without  a 
considerable  degree  of  mental  labor.  And  shall  a 
young  man  study  year  after  year  to  become  master 
of  the  dead  languages,  to  comprehend  the  most 
intricate  parts  of  science  and  philosophy ; and  then 
neglect  to  read  the  Bible  because  its  meaning,  in  a 
few  instances,  can  not  be  perceived  at  a mere  glance  ? 
And  especially  when  we  consider  that  worldly  know- 
ledge is  the  object  in  one  instance,  and  that  divine 
knowledge  is,  or  should  be  the  object,  in  the  other? 
We  leave  the  reader  to  answer  this  question. 

That  portion  of  the  Bible  which  may  be  easily 
26 


306 


LECTURES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


understood  by  proper  attention,  will  always  be 
mysterious  to  the  mind  of  that  individual  who 
neg’lects  to  read  and  study  it.  The  safest  and  best 
way  for  a young  man  to  get  over  the  difficulties 
referred  to  in  this  proposition,  is  to  read  the  Bible 
with  a strong  desire  to  come  to  a knowledge  of 
the  truth ; and  very  soon  he  will  discover  that  al- 
though some  portions  of  it  are  hard  to  be  under- 
stood, more  can  be  learned  from  it  than  from  any 
other  book  in  the  world. 

Other  young  men  excuse  themselves  for  not  read- 
ing the  Bible,  upon  the  ground,  that  it  points  out 
all  their  faults  and  imperfections,  and  brings  them 
vividly  before  their  minds. 

There  are  thousands  of  young  persons  who  de- 
liberately refuse  to  read  the  Bible,  to  examine  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  from  this  consideration  only. 

On  this  ground,  we  remark,  many  rejeeted  Chi’ist 
and  his  doctrines  during  his  stay  on  the  earth. 
Hence  we  hear  him  exclaim,  upon  a certain  oc- 
casion, “ light  is  come  into  the  world,  but  men 
love  darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds 
are  evil.”  And  again,  “ they  will  not  come  to  the 
light  lest  their  deeds  should  be  reproved.” 

Among  all  the  excuses  which  have  been,  or  can 
be  named,  this  certainly  has  the  least  semblance 
of  reason.  For  to  us  it  really  seems  that  a stronger 
reason  for  reading  the  Bible  could  not  be  pre- 
sented, than  the  one  which  is  here  brought  as  an 
excuse  for  not  doing  so. 

The  world  is  full  of  deception.  And  left  to  its 
teachings,  man  is  ignorant  of  himself,  and  the  lofty 
principles  by  which  he  should  be  governed.  A'e 
should  delight  in  reading  the  Bible  then,  not  only 
because  it  tells  us  what  to  do,  but  because  it  points 
out  our  faults,  and  shows  us  how  to  avoid  them. 
In  a thousand  ways  we  may  be  deceived.  Learn- 
ing and  science;  the  world  with  its  charms  and 


0]Sr  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES.  307 


allurements ; false  teachers  by  their  flattery ; our 
nearest  frieuds  by  winking  at  our  faults,  and  even 
our  own  hearts  ma}^  deceive  us;  hut  the  Bible 
never  does. 

This  is  one  of  the  reasons  why  it  should  he 
dearer  to  us  than  any  other  book  in  the  Avorld, 
and  read  with  more  care  and  attention.  It  comes 
to  all  men  alike,  and  leaves  no  sin  unreproved.  It 
does  not  flatter  the  king  upon  his  throne,  and  cen- 
sure those  who  are  in  the  humble  walks  of  life. 
Ho.  It  says  to  the  statesman  and  philosopher,  to 
the  rich  and  to  the  poor,  to  all  every  where,  you 
are  sinful,  dying  mortals.  And  your  only  hope  for 
eternal  life,  is  an  humble  trust  in  God,  through 
I the  merits  of  his  Son. 

And  shall  we  refuse  to  read  the  Bible,  because 
i it  tells  us  in  plain  terms  of  our  faults  ? Suppose 
I you  were  guilty  of  some  error  which  Avas  calcu- 
lated to  ruin  your  character,  your  standing  in  so- 
cietju  and  your  fortune  in  the  Avorld ; and  you,  at 
the  same  time,  were  ignorant  of  the  fact.  Would 
you  not  esteem  that  man  as  a friend  who  Avould 
tell  you  of  this  error,  and  thereby  give  you  an  op- 
portunity to  avoid  it  in  future  ? This  is  what  the 
; Bible  does  for  every  man.  And  from  this  eonsid- 
I eration,  if  from  no  other,  we  should  carefully 
I i:)eruse  its  pages,  whatever  else  we  may  neglect 
; or  leave  undone. 

! Finally,  on  this  point,  young  pei’sons  endeavor 
I,  to  excuse  themselves  for  not  reading  the  Scrip- 
t tures  upon  the  ground,  that  they  have  not  the 
I time  to  do  so.  Some  of  them  go  so  far  as  to  say 
I;  that  their  business  engagements  are  such,  that 
: they  are  justifiable  in  neglecting  them  altogether. 

^ And  is  it  not  strange,  that  any  young  man  Avho 
j believes  that  the  Scriptures  reveal  to  us  the  will 
i of  God,  the  duties  which  we  owe  to  him,  the  path 
i which  leads  to  happiness  in  this  life,  and  to  im- 


308 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


mortality  beyond  the  grave,  should  urge,  as  his 
principal  excuse,  that  he  has  no  time  to  read  them? 
Time  for  what?  Why  he  has  no  time  to  study 
the  will  of  the  great  sovereign  of  the  universe. 
ISTo  time  to  study  the  history  of  the  Savior  of  the 
world ; to  study  the  plans  of  salvation  as  revealed 
in  the  Gospel ; to  study  the  philosophy  of  that 
religion  which  raises  man  from  a state  of  wretch- 
edness and  misery,  to  a state  of  joy  and  peace; 
to  study  how  to  live,  and  how  to  die ; nor  to  study 
the  map  of  that  delightful  country  where  the  an- 
gels dwell,  and  to  which  many  of  our  friends  are 
gone.  O,  how  strange,  how  inconsistent ! Time 
for  amusement  and  pleasure,  time  for  business 
pursuits,  time  for  fashion  and  folly,  time  to  enjoy 
the  pleasures  of  sin,  time  to  associate  with  the 
wicked  and  with  the  unprincipled,  time  to  study 
the  arts  and  sciences,  time  to  read  newspapers  and 
study  politics,  time  to  read  novels,  love  stoiies,  and 
all  the  light  and  trashy  productions  of  a wicked 
age,  and  yet  no  time  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
O,  will  not  the  young  men  of  this  country  recon- 
sider this  proposition ! 

How  sad  the  reflection,  that  there  are  many 
young  persons  who  so  employ  themselves,  “ in  the 
various  concerns  of  the  present  life,”  that  they 
have  but  little  leisure  to  study,  examine,  and  medi- 
tate upon  the  truth  which  God  has  revealed  in  his 
word ! There  are  many  to  be  found  of  whom  we 
might  have  expected  better  things,  who,  in  regard 
to  the  Bible  and  religion  generally,  are  nearl}*  as 
ignorant  as  when  they  left  Sabbath  School,  or  laid 
aside  their  catechism.  But  we  still  hope  and  pray 
for  a better  state  of  things  in  this  country. 

Yarious  other  obstacles  to  a proper  examination 
of  the  scriptures  might  have  been  noticed,  but  it 
is  time  to  bring  our  remarks  on  this  subject  to  a 
close.  We  had  intended  noticing,  also,  some  of 


ON  READING  THE  SCRIPTURES.  309 


the  results  of  reading  the  Bible  attentively;  but 
as  this  part  of  the  subject  has  already,  to  some 
extent,  been  anticipated,  we  think  it  unnecessary 
to  call  it  up  again. 

A few  practical  observations,  and  we  leave  the 
subject  with  the  reader. 

if  jmu  would  have  correct  views  of  religion  and 
morality — if  you  would  know  how  to  act  in  all 
the  vicissitudes  of  life — if  you  would  be  guided, 
in  all  your  worldly  pursuits  and  business  transac- 
tions, by  the  highest  authority,  you  must  have  a 
knowledge  of  the  Bible.  Useful  information  may 
be  gained  from  other  books,  and  from  other 
soui’ces.  We  are  not  unmindful  of  this  important 
fact;  but,  after  all,  this  is  second-hand  knowledge. 
Tlie  Bible  is  the  source  and  fountain  of  that  light 
and  knowledge  which  guides  men  to  real  and  sub- 
stantial happiness. 

Some  of  the  greatest  men  that  the  world  ever 
saw  have  been  the  greatest  students  of  the  holy 
scriptures,  and  willingly  confessed  that  a knowl- 
edge of  them  was  indispensable,  not  onl}^  to  a life 
of  piety,  but  to  the  proper  management  of  things 
1 pertaining  to  this  life.  Of  this  class  we  may  men- 
tion Bayle,  Burnet,  Locke,  Sir  Isaac  Uewton,  Ad- 
dison, Rollins,  Watson,  Dick,  and  a host  of  others, 
who,  amid  all  their  other  studies,  professional 
' calls,  and  busiiress  traiisactions  made  it  a point  to 
j secure  sufficient  time  to  read  and  study  diligently 
I the  holy  Scriptures. 

I You,  young  men,  are  just  starting  into  the  same 
world  through  which  they  have  just  passed,  to 
! engage  in  its  busy  scenes,  to  meet  with  similar 
j besetments,  the  same  temptations,  the  same  dis- 
|i  appointments,  and,  probably,  the  same  misfortunes. 

1 And  if  they  found,  after  many  years  of  experi- 
j ence,  with  all  their  learning  and  wisdom,  that 
nothing  but  the  Bible  is  a sufficient  guide  to  men. 


310 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


how  can  yon  expect  to  succeed  without  a knowl- 
edge of  its  teachings? 

There  he  no  period  in  your  future  history, 
let  your  days  be  few  or  many,  but  what  you  will 
be  better  prepared  to  act  your  part  wisely,  both 
in  regard  to  yourself  and  others,  by  having  a 
knowledge  of  the  Bible,  than  you  possibly  could 
to  be  destitute  of  such  kuowledare. 

“Life  lies  before  you,  young  man,  all  gleaming 
and  flashing  in  light  of  your  early  hopes,  like  a 
summer  sea.  But,  bright  though  it  seem  in  the 
silvery  sheen  of  its  far-off  beauty,  it  is  a place 
Avhere  many  a sunken  wreck  and  many  a treach- 
erous quicksand  have  made  shipAvreck  of  immortal 
hopes.  And  calm  though  its  iDolished  surface  may 
sleep,  Avithout  a ripple  or  shoal,  it  shall  yet  be 
OA^erhung  to  you  by  the  darkness  of  the  night, 
and  the  Avilduess  of  the  tempest.  And  ah!  if  in 
these  lonely  and  perilous  scenes  of  your  voyage, 
you  Avere  left  Avithout  a landmark  or  a beacon, 
hoAV  sad  and  fearful  your  lot.  But,  blessed  be 
God,  you  are  not.  Lor  upon  the  Rock  of  Ages 
there  streams  a light  from  the  Eternal  AVord,  the 
light  that  David  saw  and  rejoiced;  the  light  that 
Paul  saw  and  took  courage;  the  light  that  has 
guided  the  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand  that 
haA^e  already  reached  the  happy  isles  of  the  blest. 
There  it  stands,  the  Pharos  of  this  dark  and 
stormy  scene,  Avitli  a flame  that  was  kindled  in 
heaven,  and  that  comes  down  to  us  reflected  from 
many  a glorious  image  of  prophet,  apostle  and 
martyr.  iMany  a rash  and  wicked  spirit  has 
sought  to  put  out  this  light,  and  ou  the  pinion  of  , 
reckless  daring  has  furiously  dashed  itself  against  { 
it,  but  only  fallen  stunned  and  blackened  in  the  i 
surf  beloAv.  iSIany  a storm  of  hail  and  fury  has 
dashed  Avildl}''  against  it,  covering  it  ’ for  a time  j 
Avith  spray,  but  when  the  fiercest  shock  has  spent  I 


ON  EEADING  THE  SCEIPTUEES.  311 

its  rage,  and  the  proud  wave  rolled  all  shivered 
and  sullenly  back,  the  beacon  has  still  gleamed  on 
high  and  clear,  above  the  raging  waters.  Another 
storm  is  now  dashing  against  it,  and  another  cloud 
of  mist  is  flung  around  it,  but  when  these  also 
have  expended  their  might,  the  rock  and  the  bea- 
con shall  be  unharmed  still.  ‘We  have  a more 
sure  word  of  prophec}^  whereunto  ye  do  well  that 
ye  take  heed,  as  unto  a light  that  shineth  in  a 
dark  place,  until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  day-star 
arise  in  your  hearts.’  When  this  promised  time 
shall  have  come,  when  the  dappling  dawn  shall 
have  broadened  and  brightened  into  the  perfect 
day,  then,  and  not  until  then,  shall  the  light  of 
this  sure  beacon  pale  before  the  brightness  of  that 
day,  whose  morning  is  heaven,  and  whose  noon- 
tide is  eternity.  But,  until  then,  in  spite  of  the 
false  lights  that  flash  upon  our  track,  and  gleam 
fitfully  from  billow  to  billow,  our  steady  gaze  and 
our  earnest  heed  shall  be  to  this  sure  word  of 
prophecy,  and  the  motto  we  shall  ever  unfurl  to 
the  winds  shall  be,  ‘■the  Bible,  the  Bible,  the  light- 
house of  the  worldB^ — Boi.  Chris.,  page  301. 


LECTURE  XVI. 


ON  THE  SABBATH. 

A MAJORITY  of  the  people  of  this  country  are 
fully  satisfied  that  the  Sabbath  was  divinely  in- 
stituted, and  feel  themselves  under  special  obliga- 
tions to  keep  it  holy.  And  it  is  thought  by  many 
of  our  most  distinguished  divines  and  theologians, 
as  well  as  moral  philosophers,  that  if  it  had  not 
originated  in  the  command  of  the  Creator,  it  pro- 
bably would  have  originated  with  man  as  a matter 
of  utility  and  necessity. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  we  are  fully  persuaded,  that 
whatever  may  be  the  sentiments  of  the  people  in 
this  country  in  regard  to  the  law  of  the  Sabbath, 
there  is  a growing  tendency  among  them  to  ne- 
glect the  requirements  of  this  law.  But  a few 
years  ago,  the  ministers  of  our  holy  religion,  both 
in  Europe  and  America,  in  their  sermons  and  lec- 
tures, in  their  teachings,  both  private  and  public, 
were  particularly  careful  to  enforce  upon  the  minds 
of  the  people  the  importance  of  observing  the  Sab- 
bath as  a day  of  rest  from  the  ordinary  cares  of 
life,  and  from  the  perplexities  of  worldly  business; 
and,  as  is  alwaj’S  the  case  under  similar  circum- 
stances, their  labors  among  the  people,  in  this 
respect,  were  not  in  vain. 

But,  of  late  years,  ministers  seem  to  overlook, 
not  the  importance  of  the  Sabbath  as  a day  of 
rest,  but  the  importance  of  urging  the  people,  from 
time  to  time,  to  spend  that  day  in  the  fear  and 
service  of  God.  And  the  result  is,  at  least  in  this 
country,  and  we  suppose  it  is  the  case  in  all  other 
countries  where  this  matter  is  neglected,  that  the 
(312) 


ON  THE  SABBATH. 


313 


people  have  become  careless  about  the  law  of  the 
Sabbath  and  the  teachings  of  the  Bible  generally, 
as  to  the  mode  of  passing  it. 

We  find  many  persons  in  this  country  who  have 
read  and  heard  so  little  about  the  necessity  of 
keeping  the  Sabbath  day  holy,  about  the  manner 
in  which  it  should  be  spent,  that  they  seem  not  to 
realize  the  difference  between  the  duties  of  this 
day  and  those  of  any  other  day  in  the  week.  And 
if  they,  on  this  day,  suspend  their  ordinary  occu- 
pations, and  do  not  engage  in  any  worldly  pursuit, 
it  is  not  so  much  from  the  fact  that  they  believe 
it  to  be  contrary  to  the  revealed  will  of  God  to 
engage  in  such  business  on  that  day,  but  because 
the  civil  law  will  not  allow  them  to  do  so.  Here 
we  may  perceive  the  reason  why  so  many  persons 
engage  in  ordinary  business  transactions  on  this 
day,  when  they  can  do  so  without  being  observed 
by  those  whose  business  it  is  to  execute  the  civil 
law.  They  are  ignorant  of  the  law  of  God,  and 
of  the  rules  and  regulations  which  he  has  laid 
down  in  his  Word  in  regard  to  this  matter;  and 
was  it  not  for  the  influence  of  the  civil  law,  their 
conduct,  on  this  day,  would  not  differ  from  the 
course  of  conduct  pursued  by  them  on  any  other 
day  in  the  week. 

A few  individuals  are  to  he  found  in  this  country 
who  maintain  that  it  does  not  appear,  from  any 
thing  that  is  said  in  the  Bible  on  this  subject,  and 
especially  in  the  Hew  Testament  Scriptures,  that 
the  law  regarding  the  Sabbath  is  obligatory  upon 
! man  at  the  present  day;  and  that  one  day  should 
[ be  kept  as  sacred  as  another.  They  admit  that 
( the  Jews,  by  express  command  of  God,  were  bound 
' to  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy ; and  that  they  could 
not  violate  this  command  with  impunity.  But, 
then,  they  maintain,  that  this  law  is  no  whei’e 
enjoined  by  Christ  on  his  apostles. 

27 


314 


LECTUEES  TO  YOIJXG  MEN. 


To  such  Tve  reply,  that  the  law  regarding  the 
Sahhath  had  been  wi’itten  by  the  finger  of  God, 
upon  tables  of  stone,  and  delivered  to  the  Jews, 
long  before  the  days  of  Christ,  and  that  law  has 
never  yet  been  repealed ; and,  therefore,  it  was 
unnecessary  for  Christ  or  his  Apostles  to  reenact 
a law  which  had  been  in  existence  for  more  than 
a thousand  years.  We  remark,  in  addition  to 
this,  “that  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  was  not 
first  enjoined  at  the  giving  of  the  law  to  Moses, 
but  was  instituted  at  the  creation  of  the  world, 
and  became  obligatory  upon  all  the  posterity  of 
Adam,  whether  Jews  or  Gentiles,  and  a pledge 
of  the  kindness  and  good  will  of  God  to  them.” 
“ The  Sahhath  was  made  for  man,  and  not  man 
for  the  Sahhath.”  The  Sahhath  was  not  made 
for  any  particular  nation  or  race  of  people,  hut 
for  the  whole  human  family. 

We  remark,  furthermore,  in  the  language  of 
Mr.  Watson,  “that  if  the  religious  observance  of 
one  day  in  seven  was  necessary  to  man  in  his  state 
of  innocence,  that  he  might  be  called  from  the 
lighter  employments  of  dressing  and  keeping  the 
garden,  when  no  examples  were  near  him,  it  is 
much  more  necessary  for  us  to  he  carefully  ob- 
servant of  that  sacred  day,  who  are  in  so  much 
the  greater  danger  of  forgetting  God  through  the 
influence  of  the  manifold  anxieties  of  life,  and  the 
more  powerful  circumstances  of  temptation  in 
which  we  are  placed.”  But  one  remark  made  by 
Christ  should,  we  think,  put  this  matter  to  rest  in 
the  mind  of  any  individual  who  supposes  that  we 
are  not  now  under  obligations  to  keep  the  Sahhath  | 
day  holy.  Said  he,  “ The  Son  of  man  is  Lord  , 
also  of  the  Sahhath  day.”  Aow  it  is  perfectly  | 
unreasonable  to  suppose  that  he  would  claim  to  be 
Lord  of  that  which  did  not  exist.  We  sometimes 
fear  that  all  disputes  on  this  subject,  upon  the  part 


Oisr  THE  SABBATH. 


315 


of  those  who  deny  the  divine  obligation  of  Chris- 
tians to  observe  the  Sabbath,  are  more  from  the 
heart  than  from  the  judgment. 

But  the  question  is  often  asked,  “ How  is  it  that 
we  now  observe  the  Sabbath  on  the  first  day  of 
the  week,  and  not  on  the  seventh?” 

To  this  we  reply,  that  we  know  of  no  answer 
to  this  question  which  is  more  appropriate,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  more  logical  and  conclusive, 
than  that  given  by  Mr.  Watson  in  his  “ Conver- 
sation.” Says  he,  “ this  change  of  the  day  is  to 
be  traced  up  to  the  age  of  the  Apostles,  and  must, 
therefore,  be  referred  to  their  inspired  authority. 
The  first  day  of  the  week  had  this  honor  put 
upon  it  as  being  the  day  of  the  Loi’d’s  resurrec- 
tion from  the  dead.  The  substance  of  the  law  of 
the  Sabbath,  as  found  in  the  law  of  the  ten  com- 
mandments, which  the  Apostles  repeatedly  declare 
to  be  still  obligatory  upon  Christians,  is  the  observ- 
ance of  oyie  day  in  seven.  The  day  itself  is  a cir- 
cumstance ; but  even  this  circumstance  was  not 
left  to  private  individuals  to  determine.  The  Sab- 
bath was  ordained  for  public  as  well  as  private 
worship,  and  it  was  necessary  that  it  should  be 
observed  by  the  whole  community  at  the  same 
time.  The  divine  legislator  of  the  Jews,  therefore, 
specially  directed  that  the  first  Sabbath  kept  in 
the  wilderness  should  be  calculated  from  the  first 
day  on  which  the  manna  fell ; and,  among  Chris- 
tians, apostolic  authority  fixed  it  upon  the  first  day 
of  the  week,  and  gave  it  the  expressive  appellation 
of  The  Lord’s  Day.” 

Having  made  these  general  remarks  on  the  ob- 
servance of  the  Sabbath,  we  will  notice,  more 
especially,  some  things  which  are  to  be  avoided 
by  all  who  wish  to  spend  this  day  in  accordance 
with  the  teachings  of  the  Bible. 


316 


LECTUKES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


We  notice,  first,  that  all  ordinary  labor  should 
he  carefully  avoided  on  this  day. 

To  decide  correctly  in  our  minds  what  may  or 
may  not  be  done  on  that  day,  it  would  be  proper 
for  us,  as  nearly  as  we  can,  to  understand  the  great 
object  which  our  Creator  had  in  view  at  the  time 
the  Sabbath  was  instituted  and  blessed. 

The  object  contemplated  on  the  part  of  Deity, 
at  the  time  that  “ the  Sabbath  was  made  for  man,” 
seems  to  have  been,  that  man  might  have  time  for 
i-ellectiou,  for  religious  meditation,  for  the  worship 
of  God,  and  for  the  contemplation  of  those  things 
which  have  a tendency  to  elevate  the  thoughts  and 
atfections  of  man  to  that  which  is  spiritual  and 
eternal  in  its  character. 

Hence  any  thing  which  tends  to  check  devotional 
feelings,  to  prevent  us  from  worshiping  God  “in 
spirit  and  in  truth,”  and  to  hinder  those  exercises 
which  bring  us  into  communion  with  the  father 
of  our  spirits,  must  be  avoided.  Well  if  our 
thoughts,  on  this  day,  are  occupied  by  the  con- 
cerns of  the  world,  and  engaged  in  the  transac- 
tions of  worldly  business,  we  shall  have  but  little 
time  for  religious  meditation  or  worship. 

It  would  be  ditficult  to  set  down  a set  of  rules, 
on  this  subject,  which  would  suit  every  case,  in 
view  of  the  various  and  ever- varying  circumstances 
with  which  men  are  surrounded. 

Many  are  to  be  found,  in  this  country,  who,  al- 
though they  profess  to  have  great  regard  for  the 
sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  find  it  a hard  matter  to 
avoid  “ doing  their  own  ways”  on  that  day.  It  is 
true,  they  wish  to  make  the  impression  that  they 
would  do  nothing  which  would  be  a violation  of 
the  law  of  the  Sabbath,  and  yet  it  may  be  observed 
during  the  week,  that  they  are  making  arrange- 
ments for  something  to  be  done  on  the  next  Sab- 


ON  THE  SABBATH. 


317 


bath,  which  is  to  he  profitable  to  them  temporally, 
aucl  ill  the  mean  time  wish  to  make  it  appear  that 
it  is  a work  of  necessity. 

That  gentleman,  for  instance,  who  has  produce 
to  send  to  market,  will  start  his  teams  at  such  a 
time  in  the  week  that  it  will  he  necessary  for  them 
either  to  lay  by  during  Sabbath,  or  to  travel  on 
that  day,  in  order  to  return  home.  And  yet,  it 
would  have  been  just  as  convenient  to  have  started 
those  teams  earlier  in  the  week,  that  they  might 
have  had  sufiicient  time  to  return  home  and  rest 
on  that  day.  Merchants  ivill  sell  goods  to  ser- 
vants on  the  Sabbath  day,  under  the  plea  of  neces- 
sity, when  it  would  be  an  easy  matter  to  induce 
their  masters  to  allow  them  time,  on  any  other 
day,  to  purchase  such  articles  as  they  need.  The 
physician  arranges  to  visit  a number  of  patients 
on  Sabbath,  during  the  hours  for  religious  wor- 
ship, when  he  could  have  visited  them  some  other 
hour,  and  have  accomplished  the  same  amount  of 
good.  And  so  of  all  other  professions  and  trades. 
A vast  amount  of  labor  is  performed  on  the  Sab- 
bath day,  under  the  plea  of  necessity,  which  might 
easily  be  avoided,  and  at  the  same  time,  no  one 
would  be  injured,  temporally  speaking,  while  to 
avoid  such  things,  many  might  be  blessed  in  a 
spiritual  point  of  view. 

With  but  few  exceptions,  all  persons  believe  it 
to  be  their  duty  to  visit  the  sick,  and  to  minister 
to  their  wants  as  occasion  may  require.  And  yet 
it  is,  with  few  exceptions,  the  universal  practice 
of  the  people  in  this  country,  to  attend  to  their 
worldly  business  during  the  week,  and  visit  the 
sick  on  the  Sabbath.  llTow  when  this  is  done  with 
the  intention  of  saving  time,  it  is  decidedly  wrong. 
Nearly  as  much  so,  indeed,  as  if  they  were  to  visit 
the  sick  during  the  week,  and  attend  to  their  or- 
dinary business  on  the  Sabbath,  were  it  not  for  the 


318 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


influence  of  example  in  pursuing  sucli  a course. 
If  we  cease  to  labor  on  the  Sabbath  simply  because 
the  civil  law  forbids  it,  and  rest  on  that  day,  not 
because  God  has  commanded  it,  not  because  “ it  is 
delight  unto  us,”  but  because  we  are  not  allowed 
to  do  otherwise,  we  need  not  expect  to  be  bene- 
fited in  so  doing. 

blow  we  know  that  there  are  circumstances  un- 
der which  we  may  attend  to  what  may  be  termed 
ordinary  business  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  yet  not 
be  looked  upon  as  violating  the  sanctity  of  that 
day.  This  is  sufiiciently  indicated  hy  the  Savior 
of  the  world  when  he  asks  the  question,  “Which 
of  you  shall  have  an  ass  or  an  ox  fallen  into  a pit, 
and  will  not  straightway  pull  him  out  on  the  Sab- 
bath?” Here  we  see  that  any  work,  which  is  really 
a work  of  necessity,  may  be  performed  by  us  on 
the  Sabbath.  A merchant,  who  refuses  to  trade 
on  this  day,  may  sell  clothing  to  an  individual 
who,  by  accident  or  some  sudden  call,  is  destitute 
of  necessary  clothing.  “A  huilder  might  prop  a 
falling  wall,  but  not  proceed  in  the  erection  of  a 
house,”  and  so  on.  All  persons  are  left  to  judge 
for  themselves,  whether  this  or  the  other  call  may 
be  attended  to,  consistently  with  the  rules  laid 
down  by  Christ  and  his  apostles  regarding  the 
Sabbath. 

If  persons  would,  on  the  Sabbath,  attend  to 
those  things  only  which  may  be  lawfully  attended 
to,  and  avoid  all  unnecessary  labor,  they  would 
generally  have  time  for  reading  and  religious  med- 
itation. But  because  the  Savior  of  the  world,  in 
his  teachings,  allowed  works  of  necessity  to  be 
performed  on  that  day,  there  are  thousands  who 
take  the  liberty  of  performing  any  kind  of  labor, 
if  they  can  make  it  profitable  to  themselves.  Aiid 
thus  it  is,  that  they  Avrest  the  Avords  of  the  SaA'ior 
from  their  legitimate  meaning  Avheu  he  sat's,  “If 


ON  THE  SABBATH. 


319 


any  of  you  have  a sheep  that  falleth  into  the  ditch 
on  the  Sabbath  day,  will  he  not  lay  hold  on  it, 
and  pull  it  out?  A colored  man  once  remarked, 
in  commenting  upon  this  passage  of  Scripture, 
“that  it  was  not  right  to  lift  a sheep  out  of  the 
ditch  on  the  Sabbath  day,  if  you  have  been  trying 
all  the  previous  week,  to  drive  it  into  the  ditch.” 
And  we  have  often  thought  this  a good  illustra- 
tion of  this  passage  which  is  so  often  brought  for- 
ward by  those  who  do  not  have  a sufficient  regard 
for  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath. 

Again,  there  are  quite  a number  of  persons  to 
he  found,  who,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  allow  their 
servants  and  beasts  to  rest,  and  all  farming  opera- 
tions to  stand  still ; or  who  close  the  doors  of  their 
shops,  their  office,  or  business-house,  as  the  case 
may  he,  and  yet  they  may  be  seen  walking  over 
their  farms,  drawing  plats,  and  making  calcula- 
tions as  to  the  probability  of  success  in  their  farm- 
ing operations  for  the  year;  or  may  he  found  in 
their  counting-rooms  casting  up  accounts,  calcu- 
lating the  sums  lost,  or  profits  made  during  the 
previous  week ; or,  on  the  other  hand,  their  minds 
intently  engaged  in  arranging  some  plan  for  their 
future  operations,  blow  it  may  be  possible  for  such 
men  to  do  so,  and  yet  maintain  a devotional  frame 
of  mind,  hut  we  think  it  exceedingly  doubtful. 

But  let  us  admit  that  they  can  carry  Avith  them, 
in  the  transaction  of  such  business  on  the  Sab- 
bath, all  their  religious  sentiments  and  feelings, 
which  we  think  is  impossible,  their  children  and 
neighbors  may  he  induced  by  their  example  to  do 
the  same  things  Avithout  any  effort  to  be  in  a re- 
ligious frame  of  mind  while  attending  to  such  busi- 
ness. Hence,  the  individual  who  attends  to  mat- 
ters of  a temporal  character  on  the  Sabbath,  which 
might  he  avoided,  hoAvever  trivial  as  to  their  im- 
portance, may  he  doing  serious  injury  to  others, 


320  LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 

however  innocent  he  may  be  as  to  any  intention 
of  doing  wrong. 

To  say  the  least  of  such  a course,  then,  it  would 
he  much  better  employment  for  such  persons  to 
be  found  reading  their  Bibles,  or  some  other  good 
book  which  would  lead  them  to  think  of  their 
responsibility  to  their  Creator,  and  their  obliga- 
tions to  serve  him.  And  when  such  persons  have 
the  opportunity,  let  them  go  to  the  sanctuary  of 
God.  Here  it  is,  on  this  day,  they  may  hear 
something,  if  they  are  inclined  to  lay  up  treasures 
on  earth,  which  may  cause  them  to  lose  coufidence 
in  the  stability  of  earthly  things.  However  vig- 
orous and  youthful  such  persons  may  feel,  they 
may  hear  something  which  may  cause  them  to 
think  of  disease  and  death,  and  of  a coming  judg- 
ment. And  all  will  leave  the  place  of  worship 
better  prepared  for  the  duties  and  besetments  of 
life,  than  if  they  had  stayed  away. 

But  again,  we  should  avoid  all  worldly  amuse- 
ments, and  trips  for  recreation  on  this  day. 

Things  which  may  be  done  quite  innocently  on 
any  other  day,  may  be  quite  sinful  when  done  on 
this. 

It  may  be  observed,  that  young  persons  in  this 
country  are  getting  very  much  in  the  habit  of 
collecting  together  on  this  day,  and  taking  pleas- 
ure trips,  little  excursions,  voyages,  and  the  like ; 
and  many  of  them  spend  nearly  all  their  Sabbaths 
in  this  way.  The  consequence  is,  they  have  but 
little  time  for  serious  thoughts  or  religious  med- 
itation. Others  spend  their  Sabbaths  in  reading 
amusing  anecdotes,  novels,  love  stories,  secular 
newspapers,  books  of  travels;  or  such  as  give  an 
aeconnt  of  startling  events,  haii’-breadth  escapes, 
and  the  like;  but  scarcely  ever  read  religious 
books,  or  books  of  • any  kind,  from  which  useful 
information  might  be  obtained.  StiU  another  class 


OJSr  THE  SABBATH. 


321 


of  young  persons  meet  together  at  some  noted 
place  in  their  neighborhood,  to  amuse  each  other 
hy  their  witticisms,  odd  sayings  and  vulgar  lan- 
guage ; or  by  making  a display  of  their  ability  to 
discuss  the  various  political  questions  of  the  day; 
or  by  wrestling,  boxing,  playing  marbles,  cards, 
checquers,  or  something  else  as  bad,  if  not  worse 
than  any  thing  which  we  have  named,  and  seem 
never  to  think  of  spending  this  holy  day  in  the 
fear  and  service  of  their  Creator. 

ISTow  let  all  young  persons  contrast  this  method 
of  spending  the  Sabbath  with  that  which  is  pointed 
■ out  by  one  of  the  inspired  prophets,  where  he  says, 
“If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the  Sabbath, 
fi’om  doing  thy  pleasure  on  ray  holy  day : and  call 
the  Sabbath  a delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  hon- 
orable; and  shalt  honor  him,  not  doing  thine  own 
ways,  nor  finding  thine  own  pleasure,  nor  speak- 
ing thine  own  words : then  shalt  tlaou  delight 
thyself  in  the  Lord;  and  I will  cause  thee  to  ride 
upon  the  high  places  of  the  earth,  and  feed  thee 
with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  thy  father;  for  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken  it. — Isaiah,  58 
t chap.  13,  14  verse. 

; We  leave  the  young  reader  to  answer  the  fol- 
lowing question  for  himself: — Will  it  be  better 
for  him  in  life,  in  death,  and  in  eternity,  to  spend 
the  Sabbath  in  pursuit  of  worldly  and  sinful 
pleasure,  or  according  to  the  direction  given  here 
by  the  inspired  prophet? 

Again,  vanity  and  pride,  though  always  sinful, 
are  to  be  carefully  avoided  on  this  day. 

All  attempts  to  make  a display  of  ourselves,  or 
of  any  thing  which  we  possess,  on  this  day,  is  sin- 
ful; from  the  fact  that  in  so  doing,  we  are  sure 
to  violate  the  law  of  God  in  regard  to  it. 

To  see  the  force  of  this  last  remark,  we  have 
only  to  remember  that  pride  always  leads  to  ex- 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


^>.99 


travagauce,  and  extravagance  leads  to  unnecessary 
labor,  and  this  to  a neglect  of  the  important  duties 
that  we  should  perform  on  that  day. 

See  that  young  man  who,  during  the  past  week, 
has  purchased  for  himself  a fine  horse,  and  elegant 
equipage  for  the  same ; also  a fine  suit  of  clothing 
for  himself,  all  arranged  according  to  the  latest 
style.  He  goes  to  church  on  the  next  Sabbath,  it 
may  be,  spends  there  the  hour  set  apart  for  di\fine 
service;  and,  it  may  be  that  he  formally  engages 
in  the  services  of  the  hour;  but  all  the  time  his 
thoughts  are  occupied  about  himself,  his  appear- 
ance, the  impression  he  is  making  upon  the  minds 
of  those  around  him;  and  how  he  is  to  manage 
so  as  to  succeed  in  attracting  their  attention. 

We  do  not  say  of  this  young  man  that  he  had 
better  stay  away  fi'om  church,  than  to  go  there 
and  spend  his  time  in  tliis  way;  but  we  do  say 
that  it  would  be  much  better  for  him  if  he  would 
go  quietl}",  and  without  any  attempt  at  displa}-, 
to  the  sanctuary  of  God,  and  engage  earnestly  in 
religious  exercises,  and  let  his  thoughts  be  occu- 
pied about  his  moral  condition,  and  his  destiny 
beyond  the  grave.  Let  these  remarks  serve  as  an 
illustration  of  many  other  things  which  might  be 
said  on  this  subject. 

In  the  last  place,  on  this  point,  visiting,  as  a 
source  of  gratification,  should  be  strictly  avoided 
on  this  day. 

How,  visiting  the  sick,  the  poor,  and  the  dis- 
tressed may  be  done  on  this  day,  if  it  is  necessary  • 
for  us  to  do  so,  in  order  to  relieve  their  wants. 
But  this  is  quite  different  from  visiting  as  a mat- 
ter of  time-serving,  or  as  a source  of  pleasure.  It 
is  visiting  for  the  latter  purpose  which  should  be 
avoided.  There  are  many  young  persons,  as  well 
as  old,  in  this  country,  who  seem  not  to  think  of 
visiting  then’  friends  and  neighbors  on  any  other 


ON  THE  SABBATH. 


323 


day  except  the  Sabbath ; and  their  only  reason  for 
doing  so  is,  that  they  are  too  bnsy  on  any  other 
day.  Their  minds  and  bodies,  during  the  week, 
are  occupied  almut  their  business  concenis ; hence, 
they  select,  for  this  purpose,  the  time  which  has 
been  set  apart  especially  for  religious  exercises. 
There  are  thousands  of  persons  in  this  land  of 
Bibles  and  gospel  privileges,  who  spend  most  of 
their  Sabbaths  in  this  way.  And  we  have  often 
thought  that  if  such  persons  would  reflect  seri- 
ously on  the  impropriety  of  their  conduct  in  this 
respect,  that  they  surely  would  avoid  it  in  the 
future. 

Look  for  a moment  at  the  consequences.  Those 
who  visit  on  this  day,  deprive  themselves,  to  a 
great  extent,  of  reading  and  meditating  protitabl}^ 
and  of  those  devotional  feelings  which  they  might 
otherwise  enjoy,  if  they  would  quietly  remain  at 
home  ; and  those  visited  by  them  are  thrown  into 
the  same  condition,  and  that,  too,  it  may  be,  against 
their  will ; for  they,  on  this  day,  may  greatly  pre- 
fer to  be  free  from  company,  that  thej^  may  have 
time  for  reflection ; time  to  think  of  the  solemn 
realities  of  eternity.  And  now,  when  we  add  to 
this,  that  servants,  as  a natural  consequence,  are 
more  closely  confined  and  engaged  than  they  should 
be  on  this  day,  and  thereby  deprived  of  privileges 
which  they  should  enjoy,  we  think  it  enough  to 
induce  any  man  who  will  reflect  as  he  should 
about  the  evils  of  this  practice,  to  avoid  it  alto- 
gether. 

We  might  here,  if  we  had  time,  speak  at  some 
length  of  those  who  spend  this  day  fishing,  hunt- 
ing, gaming,  traveling,  and  the  like ; but  these 
things  are  so  manifestly  wrong,  and  so  much  at 
variance  with  the  teachings  of  the  Bible  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  this  day  should  be  spent,  that  it 
is  wholly  unnecessary  for  us  to  say  any  thing  by 


324 


LECTURES  TO  TOUXG  HEX. 


way  of  trying  to  make  it  more  plain.  Surely  no 
individual,  who  reads  the  Bihle  attentively,  will 
pretend  to  justity  himself  in  doing  such  things  on 
the  Sabbath  day.  I 

We  notice,  in  the  next  place,  some  things  that  I 
should  he  done  on  this  day.  A few  remarks  must  j 
suffice.  i 

First,  we  remark,  that  serious  reflection  is  a | 
very  important  duty  to  be  performed  on  the  Sab-  1 
hath.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  men  to  spend  at  least  j 
a portion  of  this  day  in  this  way. 

We  should  reflect  calmly  upon  our  present  con- 
dition. A chain  of  reflections,  something  like  the  ! 
following,  should  pass  through  our  minds  on  every 
Sabbath  ; and  these  should  not  be  allowed  to  pass 
without  leaving  some  good  impression.  What 
portion  of  my  time  has  been  spent  in  the  service 
of  God  ? How  much  wrong  have  I done  by  my  , 
example  and  influence  ? In  what  manner  could  ! 
I have  spent  my  time,  that  it  might  have  been  1 
more  profitable  to  myself  and  to  others  in  a moral 
point  of  view?  Have  I better  control  of  myself, 
my  passions,  temper,  appetites,  than  I have  had 
heretofore  ? Am  I better  prepared  to  contend 
with  the  temptations  of  the  world,  and  to  Avalk  in 
the  path  of  rectitude  and  obedience  ? And  then, 
as  to  others : How  is  it  with  the  community  in 
which  I live  ? Is  it  improving  in  morals,  or  is  it 
growing  worse?  Can  I do  any  thing  to  benefit 
those  around  me,  to  elevate  their  condition  morally, 
intellectually,  and  spiritually  ? Can  I do  any 
thing  that  will  lead  men  to  forsake  the  path  of 
vice,  and  walk  in  the  path  of  ffirtue  ? If  so,  what 
is  it,  and  how  shall  it  be  done  ? 

Then,  again,  we  should  reflect  that  we  are  in 
a state  of  probation ; that  we  are  transacting 
business  for  eternity ; and  that,  for  all  we  say  and 
do  in  this  life,  we  shall  have  to  give  account  at 


Oisr  THE  SABBATH. 


325 


the  judgment  bar  of  God.  We  should  reflect  that 
our  happiness  in  a future  state,  and,  to  some  ex- 
tent, the  happiness  of  others,  depends  upon  the 
course  which  we  piursue  in  the  present  life.  Thus 
should  we  reflect  on  the  Sabbath  day.  If  not  on 
that  day,  when  then  ? The  young  may  reply  that 
old  age  is  the  time  for  such  solemn  reflections. 
We  answer,  that  to  thousands  of  young  persons 
old  age  will  never  come.  Hence,  if  they  neglect 
this  duty  while  young,  it  is  very  probable  that  they 
will  never  attend  to  it. 

Another  duty  which  should  he  carefully  attended 
to  on  this  day,  is  the  public  worship  of  God. 

Every  individual,  whether  he  be  a professed 
Christian  or  not,  should,  on  this  day,  if  he  has  the 
opportunity,  attend  some  place  that  is  set  apart 
for  the  worship  of  the  Most  High.  Impressions 
are  often  made  upon  our  minds  in  the  sanctuary 
of  God,  calculated  to  make  us  better  citizens,  better 
neighbors,  and  better  men,  which  never  would  be 
made  at  any  other  place,  or  under  any  other  cir- 
cumstances. Said  one  who  had  paid  a great  deal 
of  attention  to  this  subject,  “ The  public  worship 
of  God  is  the  ancient  and  the  sure  guardian  of 
i human  happiness ; do  not  trifle  with  it  as  if  it 
' were  of  no  avail.  Justice,  and  faith,  and  mercy, 
and  kindness  flow  from  the  altars  of  God.  It  is 
here  that  men  learn  to  pity ; it  is  here  that  they 
are  taught  to  forgive ; it  is  here  that  they  learn 
punctuality  in  contracts,  obedience  to  magistrates, 
submission  to  superiors,  respect  for  laws,  loyalty 
to  kings ; and  there,  above  all,  it  is,  that  they 
catch  the  true  spirit  of  the  Gospel,  which,  melior- 
ating all  things,  makes  submission  to  superiors 
voluntary,  by  rendering  superiors  gracious ; respect 
for  laws  natural,  by  making  laws  just;  the  loyalty 
to  kings  pleasant,  by  making  kings  good.” 

Ho  man  can  regularly  attend  the  place  for  reli- 


326 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEY. 


gious  worship  on  this  day,  without  being  benefited 
to  a greater  or  less  extent,  unless  he  is  actuated,  in 
so  doing,  by  some  improper  motive.  Xor  can  he 
neglect  to  do  so,  without  becoming  a worse  man, 
although  he  may  not,  owing  to  this  neglect,  be 
able  to  see  that  he  is  growing  worse. 

In  conclusion,  we  would  say,  to  the  young  espe- 
cially, that  if  you  neglect  the  duties  of  the  Sabbath, 
and  refuse  to  keep  it  holy,  you  have  no  assurance 
of  divine  protection,  nor  of  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  your  elibrts,  either  in  a temporal  or  spii’itual 
point  of  view,  nor  of  entering,  at  last,  into  the 
abodes  of  the  blest,  around  the  throne  of  God. 
Follow  not  the  example,  then,  of  Sabbath  pro- 
faners.  Learn  to  spend  this  day  in  the  fear  of 
God.  Remember  the  fearful  consequence  of  spend- 
in  2:  it  in  a triflinsr  manner.  The  Divine  Beins: 
will  not  allow  his  laws  to  be  trampled  upon  with 
impunity. 

The  jews,  for  a long  time,  as  a nation,  disre- 
garded the  laws  of  God  respecting  the  Sabbath 
day,  and  he  seemed  to  pay  no  attention  to  their 
conduct,  at  least  so  far  as  punishment  was  con- 
cerned. But  when  we  remember  that  they,  after- 
ward, spent  the  same  length  of  time  in  captiviGq 
in  Babylon,  which  they  had  formerly  spent  in 
desecrating  the  hoi}"  Sabbath,  we  can  clearly  see 
that  it  is  a dangerous  thing  to  trifle  with,  or  to 
neglect  the  commands  of  God  respecting  it. 

It  may  be  that  the  calamities  which  we,  as  a 
nation,  have  had  to  endure,  within  the  last  few 
years,  in  the  way  of  war,  pestilence,  and  famine, 
have  been  sent  upon  us  as  a punishment  for  our 
neglect  of  the  duties  of  this  holy  day.  Be  this  as 
it  may,  every  Sabbath  that  we  spend,  bears  its  re- 
port to  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth.  And  they  will 
bear  for  us  a good  report,  or  render  om’  account 
more  terrible  in  that  coming  day. 


LECTURE  XYII. 


A SERMON  FOR  THE  YOUNG — ON  THE  NECESSITY  OF 
DIVINE  DIRECTION. 

“ Thou  shalt  guide  me  with  thy  counsel,  and  afterward 
receive  me  to  glory.” — Psalms,  Ixxiii:  24. 

It  is  evident  from  the  language  of  the  text,  that 
the  Psalmist  was  a firm  believer  in  the  doctrine 
of  a particular  or  special  providence.  He  advo- 
cates the  doctrine  that  God  not  only  upholds  the 
world,  and  guides  the  aftairs  of  nations  and  large 
communities,  hut  that  man,  in  an  individual  capac- 
ity, is  as  much  the  object  of  his  care  as  the  most 
imposing  event  that  can  happen,  either  to  a nation 
or  to  the  world.  He  taught  that  every  individual 
who  walks  in  the  commandments  of  God,  and  puts 
his  “ trust  under  the  shadow  of  his  wings,”  might, 
with  confidence,  expect  to  he  sustained  by  divine 
poAver,  and  directed  by  divine  wisdom,  hoAvever 
difficult  his  path,  or  formidable  his  enemies. 

There  are  many  persons  at  the  present  day,  who 
profess  not  to  believe  this  doctrine,  on  the  ground 
that  it  is  derogatory  to  the  dignity  and  character 
of  God ; since  it  brings  him  down,  in  the  execution 
of  his  plans,  to  a level  Avitli  finite  man.  They  main- 
tain that  if  this  doctrine  he  true,  God  is  more 
liable  to  change  than  man  himself.  And  that  his 
plans  and  arrangements  are  always  liable  to  he 
frustrated,  from  the  fact  that  he  must  be  doing 
and  undoing  perpetually,  to  suit  the  case  of  each 
individual.  But  Ave  remark,  that  his  general  plans 
include  individual  cases.  And,  that  it  is  just  as  easy 
for  him  to  supply  the  wants  of  each  individual 


328 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEN. 


separately,  as  it  would  be  for  him  to  supply  the 
wants  of  one  man,  if  he  stood  alone  in  the  world. 

We  should  guard  well  against  those  philoso- 
Xjhers,  who  would  have  us  believe  that  the  Bible 
nowhere  teaches  the  doctrines  of  a particular  or 
special  providence ; for  it  has  its  origin  either  in. 
ignorance  or  unbelief. 

There  is  a kind  of  philosophy  which  wears  the 
garb  of  Christianity,  which  excludes  the  Creator, 
as  an  active  and  efficient  agent,  entirely  from  the 
affairs  of  meii,  and  from  all  those  events  that  tran- 
spire around  us  both  in  the  natural  and  spiritual 
world ; and  leaves  man  to  look  to  the  full  develop- 
ment of  some  great  principle  or  plan,  that  was 
arranged  at  the  creation  of  the  world  for  assistance 
and  direction  in  his  hours  of  gloom,  distress,  and 
misfortune. 

The  advocates  of  this  theory  maintain  that  it 
is  beneath  the  dignity  of  an  all-wise  Being  to 
look  upon  human  affairs;  and  that  he  is  constantly 
employed  in  watching  the  affairs  of  the  univeme, 
and  the  events  which  affect  the  interests  of  na- 
tions. But  whatever  may  be  taught  on  tliis  sub- 
ject as  the  result  of  ignorance,  unbelief,  or  false 
philosophy;  this  is  not  the  doctrine  of  the  text, 
nor,  in  fact,  of  any  other  portion  of  the  Bible. 

The  reason  why  so  many  oppose  or  disbelieve 
the  doctrine  of  a special  providence,  or  that  man 
is  specially  protected  and  guided  in  this  life  hy  the 
hand  of  infinite  wisdom,  is,  that  they  have  not 
made  themselves  familiar  with  the  principles  of 
the  divine  government  as  revealed  in  the  Bible. 
They  can  not  conceive  how  the  Divine  Being, 
though  infinitely  wise  and  powerful,  can  control 
the  machinery  of  the  universe,  keep  the  earth,  the 
air,  the  waters,  together  with  all  the  heavenly 
bodies  within  their  appointed  bounds,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  guide  each  individual  inhabitant  of  the 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIEECTION.  329 


earth  and  supply  his  wants  by  a special  act,  how- 
ever widely  he  may  he  separated  from  the  rest  of 
his  fellow-beings,  or  however  peculiar  the  circum- 
stances which  may  surround  him.  And  as  the 
ways  of  God,  in  this  respect,  are  mysterious,  past 
finding  out,  and  beyond  the  reach  of  man  to  dis- 
cover, they  are  disposed  to  disbelieve  this  doctrine 
altogether ; and  vainly  attempt  to  explain  those 
passages  of  holy  writ,  which  explicitly  set  forth 
the  doctrine  of  a special  providence,  upon  some 
other  principle.  And  often,  too,  according  to  some 
theory  which  is  at  variance  with  reason  and  com- 
mon sense. 

The  fact,  that  some  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible 
are  mysterious,  as  shown  in  another  lecture,  is  no 
reason  why  they  should  be  disbelieved.  For  if 
we  make  it  a point  to  disbelieve,  when  we  do  not 
fully  understand,  we  would  soon  he  in  doubts  in 
regard  to  almost  every  thing.  We  can  not  tell,  for 
example,  how  water  satiates  thirst,  or  how  the  sun 
shines  ; and  yet,  we  do  not  doubt  in  regard  to  either 
proposition,  however  mysterious  in  its  operation. 

The  faith  of  the  Psalmist,  in  the  doctrine  of  a 
special  providence,  was  strong.  His  confidence  in 
the  ever-watchful  care  of  God  toward  those  who 
put  their  trust  in  him,  was  equally  so.  With  him, 
the  truth  of  this  doctrine  was  a matter  of  experi- 
ence. He  knew  that  he  was  not  mistaken,  and 
that  his  confidence  was  not  misplaced.  He  knew 
that  there  wei’e  circumstances  connected  with  his 
own  history,  that  could  be  explained  upon  no  other 
principle  than  by  referring  them  to  the  agency  of 
an  all-wise  Being. 

He  had  several  times  despaired  of  his  own  life 
when  pursued  by  Saul,  by  his  own  son,  and  by  the 
enemies  of  the  hosts  of  Israel,  and  saw  that  there 
was  no  chance,  by  any  plan  which  man  could  de- 
vise, for  his  deliveraiice.  But  that  in  every  in- 
28 


330 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


Btance,  however  improbable,  according  to  bnman 
calculation,  he  bad  escaped  with  bis  life.  How, 
then,  we  ask,  could  be  doubt  the  truth  of  this  doc- 
trine ? IIow  could  be  do  otherwise  than  believe, 
that,  from  the  time  God  bad  delivered  him  from 
the  power  of  the  bear  and  the  lion  while  be  was 
taking  care  of  bis  father’s  flocks  in  the  days 
of  his  boyhood,  up  to  the  time  that  be  used  the 
language  of  the  text,  be  bad  been  the  object  of 
the  special  cai’e  of  that  Being  who  sees,  and  knows, 
and  controls  all  things. 

Many  who  deny  the  doctrine  of  a special,  ad- 
mit, at  the  same  time,  the  doctrine  of  a general 
providence.  They  can  see,  or  at  least  profess  to 
see,  how  it  is,  and  why  it  is  that  one  nation  be- 
comes weak,  and  sinks  to  ruin ; while  another 
flourishes  and  becomes  powerful,  but  can  not  tell 
why  it  is  that  this  individual,  though  virtuous, 
lives  in  poverty  and  wretchedness ; and  the  other, 
though  he  leads  a life  of  vice  and  immorality, 
seems  to  enjoy  all  the  blessings  of  life.  Why  one 
individual  meets  with  a severe  accident,  while 
another,  at  the  same  time  and  place,  and  under 
similar  circumstances,  is  uninjured.  While  really, 
it  is  just  as  easy  to  conceive  how  an  all-powerful 
Being  can  protect  an  individual,  as  it  is  to  under- 
stand how  he  guides  and  controls  the  interests 
of  nations. 

The  Bible,  after  all  the  vain  and  idle  specula- 
tions of  men  upon  this  subject,  gives  us  the  true 
philosophy,  the  only  reliable  and  correct  analysis 
of  this  doctrine.  It  teaches  that  there  is  a govern- 
ment of  nations  it  is  true,  hut  it  teaches,  also,  that 
there  is  a government  of  individuals.  This  is  clear 
from  the  language  of  one  of  the  inspired  writers, 
where  he  asks,  “When  he  giveth  greatness,  who 
then  can  make  tremble;  and  when  he  hideth  his 
face,  who  then  can  behold  him,  whether  it  be  done 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIRECTION.  331 


to  a nation  oi’  to  a man  only?”  Are  nations,  then, 
in  a state  of  tranquillity?  It  is  God  that  givetli 
them  quietness.  Do  we  see  one  individual  in  ad- 
versity, and  another  in  prosperity?  “He  putteth 
down  one,  and  setteth  i;p  another.” 

The  Psalmist,  in  contemplating  his  past  life, 
viewing  the  scenes  through  which  he  had  passed 
in  his  childhood,  the  events  of  his  riper  years,  the 
powerful  influences  which  had  been  brought  to 
hear  upon  his  mind  that  he  might  be  led  to  dis- 
trust the  providence  and  goodness  of  God;  and 
feeling  that  he  was  still  the  object  of  his  care, 
says,  “ Thou  hast  holden  me  by  my  right  hand.” 
Then  casting  his  eye  toward  the  future,  feeling 
that  he  was  still  dependent  upon  God  for  assist- 
ance, looking  with  fond  anticipation  to  a world 
of  light  and  joy  beyond  the  scenes  of  mortal  life, 
he  says,  in  the  impressive  language  of  the  text, 
“Thou  shalt  guide  me  by  thy  counsel,  and  after- 
ward receive  me  to  glory.” 

In  directing  the  attention  of  the  young  reader, 
for  a time,  to  these  words,  we  notice, 

I.  The  necessity  of  divine  direction. 

II.  The  means  by  which  it  is  given. 

III.  The  great  object  in  view,  upon  the  part  of 
Deity,  in  guiding  man  while  he  is  in  a state  of 
probation. 

I.  The  necessity  of  divine  direction. 

This  will  appear  when  we  reflect  that  man  is 
an  imitative  being.  They  are  prone  to  imitate 
each  other,  and,  in  consequence  of  this,  are  liable 
to  be  led  astray.  Hotice,  as  an  illustration  of  this 
fact,  the  conduct  of  children,  see  how  natural  it  is 
for  them,  in  their  hours  of  play  and  amusement, 
to  imitate  their  parents,  both  in  words  and  actions, 
and  even  other  persons  who  are  older  and  more 
experienced  than  themselves.  This  is  so  univer- 
sally the  case,  that  we  scarcely  ever  see  an  excep- 


332 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


tion.  In  addition  to  this,  they  have  almost  un- 
limited confidence  in  the  judgment  of  their  parents, 
and  scarcely  ever  doubt  as  to  the  correctness  of 
their  views,  or  the  morality  of  their  conduct.  If 
parents  decide  that  any  given  proposition  is  right, 
it  is  very  apt  to  be  viewed  in  the  same  light  by 
their  children.  And  whatever  may  be  the  course 
pursued  by  parents,  they  are  apt  to  be  closely  imi- 
tated by  them. 

But  this  is  true,  not  only  of  children,  hut  of 
those  who  have  come  to  the  years  of  maturity; 
and  especially  in  matters  which  pertain  to  man’s 
immortal  interests.  See  that  young  man  who,  for 
the  first  time,  feels  that  he  is  a sinner  in  the  sight 
of  God,  that  he  is  without  hope  and  without  God 
in  the  world,  who  is  led  to  exclaim,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  one  of  old,  “ What  must  I do  to  be 
saved?”  who  has  resolved,  as  did  the  prodigal  son, 
to  go  to  his  father’s  house.  What  course  does  he 
now  pursue?  Does  he  go  immediately  to  his  Cre- 
ator for  help  in  this  his  time  of  need?  Does  he 
go  to  his  word  for  light  and  instruction  in  this 
hour  of  gloom?  These  are  the  steps  that  he  should 
take,  for  the  Bible  is  man’s  onl}'  guide  in  matters 
of  this  kind;  and  it  leads  him  directly  to  the  foun- 
tain for  sin  and  for  all  uncleanness.  The  Bible 
alone  answers  authoritatively  the  important  ques- 
tion propounded  above,  and  gives  entire  satisfac- 
tion to  all  who  will  consult  it.  But  then,  this 
young  man  must  try  something  else;  and  what 
does  he  do?  He  looks  around  among  those  who 
profess  to  be  governed  by  the  principles  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  almost  intuitively  selects  one  as  his 
guide,  in  whose  judgment  and  piety  he  has  the 
most  confidence,  and  this  man  is  to  be  his  model. 

He  reasons  thus,  in  regard  to  this  matter:  This 
man  enjoys  the  divine  favor,  and  walks  in  the 
light  of  God’s  countenance.  He  is  freed  from  the 


NECESSITY  OP  DIVINE  DIRECTION.  333 

power  and  dominion  of  sin,  and  is  now  in  the  path 
which  leads  to  life  eternal ; and  I will  imitate  his 
example,  be  governed  by  his  views  and  sentiments, 
walk  in  his  footsteps,  and  make  him  my  guide  in 
all  matters  pertaining  to  my  salvation ; and  surely, 
if  he  is  right,  I shall  not  be  wrong.  If  he  is  a par- 
taker of  the  divine  nature,  I shall  share  the  same 
blessings.  If  he  conquers  the  last  enemy,  and 
shouts  victory  in  his  last  expiring  moments,  I shall 
be  equally  successful.  And  if  he  finally  lives  with 
the  redeemed  around  the  throne  of  God,  I shall  be 
among  those  who  will  join  in  singing  the  song  of 
redeeming  grace  and  dying  love  in  the  presence  of 
God  for  ever. 

Thousands  of  young  men,  from  considerations 
like  these,  have  followed,  and  are  now  following 
the  example  of  their  fellow-beings  as  a means  of 
pi’esent  and  eternal  happiness;  but  unfortunately 
for  many  of  them,  such  guides  will  be  their  ruin. 
They  have  left  the  great  source  of  light — the 
Bible — have  closed  their  eyes  to  the  indications 
of  providence,  and  no  longer  listen  to  the  calls  of 
the  Divine  Spirit,  and  are  following  the  example 
of  those  whose  object,  after  all,  may  be  to  deceive 
others,  and  secure  their  own  interest.  Their  hearts 
may  be  black  with  sin,  and  full  of  all  iniquity. 

I^ow,  if  all,  who  profess  the  religion  of  the  Bible, 
were  “steadfast,  immovable,  always  abounding  in 
the  work  of  the  Lord,”  it  would  be  safe  to  follow 
them  as  guides.  But  oh!  how  unstable  is  man? 
To-day  we  hear  him  say,  as  did  Peter,  “ I will  fol- 
low thee  to  prison  and  to  death;”  but  to-morrow, 
with  bitter  oaths,  we  hear  him  denying  his  master. 
To-day,  with  sword  in  hand,  he  defends  his  mas- 
ter, but  to-morrow,  filled  with  doubts  and  fears,  he 
follows  him  at  a distance.  Thus  it  is  with  man; 
he  is  too  uncertain,  too  much  inclined  to  vacillate, 
to  be  a guide  for  others  in  matters  of  so  much 


334 


LECTURES  TO  TOUXG  MEX. 


importance.  Well  might  the  apostle  say,  on  this 
subject,  “They,  measuring  themselves  by  them- 
selves, and  comparing  themselves  with  themselves, 
are  not  wise.”  The  best  and  wisest  men  in  all 
ages  have,  at  times,  turned  aside  from  the  good 
and  the  right  way. 

Here,  then,  we  see  the  necessity  of  divine  direc- 
tion. The  necessity  of  a light  which  shines  more 
regularly,  a guide  that  is  always  right,  and  points 
in  the  same  direction. 

Again,  divine  direction  is  necessary  from  the 
fact  that  man  is  a fallible  being. 

The  wisest  of  men  are  liable  to  err  in  judgment 
and  to  do  wrong.  If  man  is  left  to  himself,  to  be 
guided  by  his  own  judgment  and  reason,  in  mat- 
ters pertaining  to  his  salvation,  he  is  very  apt  to 
“put  light  for  darkness,  and  darkness  for  light;” 
and  is  almost  sure  to  deviate  from  the  path  of  up-  ] 
rightness.  | 

This  is  true  of  all  men.  They  may  he  honest  | 
with  themselves  and  all  others,  and  may  earnestly  ^ 
desire  to  come  to  a knowledge  of  the  truth;  they 
may  be  willing  to  search  for  the  right  way,  as  for 
some  hidden  treasure;  and  yet  there  are  so  many  J 
soiirces  of  error  in  the  world,  so  many  things  to 
blind  the  mind,  and  to  hide  the  truth  from  their 
eyes,  that  if  there  is  not  some  principal  or  agent 
to  divest  the  mind  of  ignorance,  and  point  out  to 
them  the  patli  of  duty,  they  are  sure  to  have  mis- 
taken views  of  the  character  of  God,  mistaken 
views  of  themselves,  of  the  world,  of  the  plan  of  i 
human  redemption,  and  of  the  means  by  which  ! 
they  may  enjoy  the  peace  of  God,  and  be  pre- 
pared to  live  v'ith  him  for  ever. 

But,  in  addition  to  this,  men  are  not  only  liable 
to  err,  but  inclined  to  do  wrong.  “ ^len  love  dark- 
ness rather  than  light.”  They  love  to  enjoy  the 
pdeasures  of  sin,  and  ai’e  opposed  to  those  inliu- 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIRECTION.  335 

ences,  broiight  to  bear  upon  their  minds,  to  guide 
tliem  in  the  way  which  leads  to  peace  and  holi- 
ness. He  may  even  see  his  error;  he  may  feel 
that  he  is  pursuing  a course  which  renders  him 
unhappy,  a course  which  is  contrary  to  the  dic- 
tates of  his  better  informed  judgment;  he  may  see 
that  there  is  a path  less  rugged  and  more  easily 
traveled  than  the  one  he  is  pursuing;  and  yet, 
under  the  influence  of  sin,  being  governed  by  his 
passions,  he  will  yield  to  that  which  he  knows  to 
be  wrong;  and,  beside  this,  there  are  thousands 
of  inducements  presented  to  his  mind,  which  tend 
directly  to  lead  him  into  error’s  path. 

The  world  presents  its  claims;  infidelity,  its 
sophistry;  false  philosophy,  its  deceptive  errors; 
the  voluptuary,  his  pleasing  baits;  and,  last  but 
not  least,  Satan,  his  delusions;  all  of  which,  Avhen 
yielded  to,  are  calculated  to  lead  men  to  destruc- 
tion. See  that  young  man  who  has  just  come  to 
the  years  of  maturity.  He  is  in  possession  of  a 
principle  which  must  live  parallel  with  the  exist- 
ence of  God;  and  the  future  destiny  of  that  im- 
mortal principle  depends  upon  his  conduct  while 
in  the  present  state  of  existence.  He  is  a fallible 
being,  prone  to  be  mistaken;  he  is  a sinful  being, 
inclined  to  do  wrong.  How,  if  there  is  no  divine 
influence  exerted  upon  his  mind;  if  there  is  no 
one  “to  hold  him  by  the  right  hand”  in  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  life;  if  that  Being,  who  giveth  Avis- 
dom  to  all  Avho  ask  it  of  him,  does  not  guide  and 
sustain  this  young  man  by  his  power  and  AAusdom, 
what  must  be  the  result?  He  will  follow  his  oavu 
inclinations;  walk  on  in  darkness;  live  ind  espair; 
and,  finally,  sink  to  eternal  ruin.  Said  the  pro- 
phet Jeremiah,  while  contemplating  the  condition 
of  man,  and  his  need  of  divine  direction : “ The 
way  of  man  is  not  in  himself.  It  is  not  in  him 
that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps.” 


336 


LECTUEES  TO  TOUXO  MEX. 


But  we  shall  perceive  the  necessity  of  divine 
direction,  when  we  reflect  that  man  is  prone  to 
Phariseeism,  or  to  depend  upon  his  own  righteous- 
ness for  salvation. 

In  every  age  of  the  church,  from  its  organiza- 
tion down  to  the  present  period,  man  has  been 
disposed  to  depend  upon  himself;  to  rely  upon 
his  own  efforts;  and,  upon  the  performance  of 
external  duties,  to  recommend  him  to  the  divine 
favor. 

Look  at  that  Jew,  as  he  disflgures  his  face, 
that  he  may  appear  unto  men  to  fast;  or  as  he 
stands  at  the  corners  of  the  streets  of  Jerusalem, 
and  makes  long  prayers,  that  he  may  be  seen  of 
men.  See  him  as  he  stands  in  the  temple,  and 
says : “ God,  I thank  thee  that  I am  not  as  other 
men — extortioners,  unjust,  or  even  as  this  publican. 
I fast  twice  in  the  week;  I give  tithes  of  all  that 
I possess.”  Upon  what  principle  does  he  expect 
to  realize  the  peace  of  God  that  passeth  all  under- 
standing? He  expects  it  alone  upon  the  principle 
that  he  is  externally  righteous.  He  thinks  not  of 
the  righteousness  of  the  heart,  nor  of  internal  holi- 
ness; or  if  he  did,  it  is  not  secured  by  going  the 
round  of  external  duties;  such  as  fasting,  formal 
prayers,  and  deeds  of  charity,  which  leave  the 
heart  unto\iched.  True  he  desires  the  pardon  of 
sin,  but  he  is  relying  upon  his  own  etforts  as  a 
means  of  securing  it. 

During  Christ’s  stay  upon  earth,  the  people  were 
so  much  inclined  to  look  to  outward  circumstances 
as  a means  of  salvation,  that  he  cautioned  them 
against  it  in  almost  all  his  discourses,  whether 
public  or  private.  On  one  occasion,  we  hear  him 
ask ; “ Why  call  you  me  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not 
the  things  which  I sa}’?”  And  again:  “Many 
will  say  unto  me;  in  that  day.  Lord,  Lord,  have 
we  not  prophesied  in  thy  name ; and,  in  thy  name, 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIKECTION.  337 


cast  out  devils ; and,  in  thy  name,  done  many  won- 
derful works?  And  then  will  I profess  unto  them 
I never  knew  you : depart  from  me,  ye  that  work 
iniquity.”  And  why  shall  such  be  rejected  on  that 
day?  Because  they  depended  upon  forms,  and 
ceremonies,  and  external  acts  of  devotion  to  give 
them  an  entrance  into  life  eternal. 

But  is  the  case  with  man,  in  this  respect,  dif- 
ferent at  the  present  day  ? ISTot  in  the  least.  Many 
are  now  to  be  found  whose  only  hope  of  heaven 
is,  they  belong  to  the  visible  church;  have  been 
baptized  in  the  name  of  Christ;  observe  his  Sab- 
baths ; assemble  at  his  ordinances ; meet  together 
in  his  name;  support  his  cause;  and  supply  the 
wants  of  the  distressed ; all  of  which  may  be  done, 
and  leave  the  principles  of  the  mind  unchanged, 
and  the  heart  unalFected. 

How  important,  then,  that  we  should  have  di- 
vine direction ! How  important  that  some  super- 
natural influence  should  be  exerted  on  the  mind, 
to  discover  to  us  that  forms  and  ceremonies,  how- 
ever regularly  attended  to,  will  avail  us  nothing, 
if  the  heart  is  not  right  in  the  sight  of  God!  To 
teach  us  that  religion  is  designed  to  aflect  the 
heart,  to  control  the  desires  and  aflections,  to 
regulate  the  thoughts  and  feelings,  and  to  call 
into  active  exercise  all  the  intellectual  and  moral 
powers  of  the  man,  so  that  soul,  body  and  spirit 
may  be  consecrated  as  a sacrifice  to  God. 

Finally,  on  this  part  of  the  subject,  we  shall 
perceive  the  necessity  of  divine  direction,  when 
we  consider  the  various  systems  and  opinions 
which  prevail  among  men  respecting  the  means 
of  salvation. 

How  many  different  systems  of  religion  are  to 
be  found  in  the  world,  and  what  an  infinite  variety 
of  opinions  are  entertained  by  difierent  men ! 

There  is  probably  a greater  variety  of  views  and 
29 


338 


LECTUEES  TO  YOT7XG  MEX. 


sentiments  among  men,  in  regard  to  tlie  means  to 
be  used  that  we  may  enjoy  the  favor  of  God,  than 
any  thing  else.  The  result  is,  there  are  sects  and 
denominations  of  Christians  almost  without  num- 
ber. Each  one,  too,  as  a general  thing,  honestly 
and  earnestly  advocating  and  urging  the  claims 
of  his  peculiar  creed.  Let  us  suppose,  then,  that 
a young  man  is  earnestly  inquiring  after  the  way 
of  salvation,  and  that  he  is  ignorant  of  the  course 
that  he  should  pursue ; and  let  us  suppose  that  he' 
goes  to  the  different  teachers  of  religion  for  in- 
struction. This  one  points  in,  this  direction;  the 
other  in  that;  while  a third  says  to  him,  here  is 
the  way,  walk  ye  in  it.  ISTow,  we  ask,  will  he 
not  hesitate?  Will  he  not  begin  to  doubt?  Is  he 
not  liable  here  to  take  the  wrong  course?  Yes, 
he  may  do  more  than  this  in  this  hour  of  gloom ; 
he  may  call  in  question  the  truth  of  the  Christian 
religion;  he  may  conclude,  if  left  to  himself,  that 
all  are  wrong;  that  there  is  no  reality  in  religion. 
He  may  go  so  far  as  to  conclude  that  the  Bible  is 
“ a cunningly  devised  fable,”  or  else  all  would  en- 
tertain the  same  opinions,  and  be  traveling  in  the 
same  direction. 

Here  again,  we  see  the  necessity  of  divine  di- 
rection; of  divine  influence  upon  the  mind,  to 
enable  us  to  see  and  to  feel  that  whatever  may  be 
the  opinions  or  condition  of  others,  that  we,  while 
our  hearts  are  renewed  by  the  iuffuence  of  divine 
grace,  are  wrong,  and  in  the  road  which  leads  to 
death ; to  produce  within  a feeling  of  dissatis- 
faction, of  discontent  and  uneasiness,  until  we 
yield  ourselves  to  the  commands  of  “the  Holy 
One  of  Israel.” 

II.  We  notice  in  the  second  place,  the  means 
by  which  divine  direction  is  given  to  man. 

Here  we  remark,  that  God  does  not  confine 
himself  to  any  particular  method,  but  has  as  many 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIEECTION.  339 


i ways  as  there  are  eircumstances  surrounding  man 
j in  the  present  life.  There  is  scarcely  an  object 
! around  us,  or  an  event  that  transpires  within  the 
hounds  of  our  observation,  hut  what  is  calculated 
j to  teach  us  some  important  practical  lesson,  if  we 
j will  pay  proper  attention  to  it.  The  term  “ coun- 
j sel,”  however,  as  used  in  the  text,  refers,  more  es- 
1 pecially,  to  the  Word,  to  the  Spirit,  and  to  the 
li  Providence  of  Glod.  These  are  the  means  gene- 
1;  rally  used  in  giving  man  the  instruction  and  direc- 
||  tion  necessary  to  his  happiness. 

' God  guides  us  by  his  word. 

We  remark  that  the  word  of  God  is  of  univer- 
I sal  application,  and  is  an  infallible  rule  of  faith 
||  and  practice  to  all  men.  The  learned  and  the 
j wise  may  he  mistaken,  and  the  greatest  teachers 
' on  earth  may  come  to  wrong  conclusions,  and 
j point  out  the  wrong  path;  but  the  Bible  always 
I points  in  the  right  direction.  It  guides  us  in  all 
1 the  relationships  of  life.  In  every  condition,  in 
every  position  that  we  may  he  called  to  occupy, 
we  may  find  here  suitable  instruction. 

Are  some  to  rule  and  control  the  interests  of 
others?  They  are  to  be  “just,  ruling  in  the  fear 
' of  God.”  Are  others  so  situated  that  it  becomes 
necessary  for  them  to  submit  to  the  authority  of 
j others?  The  language  of  inspiration  is,  “submit 
I yourself  to  eveiy  ordinance  of  men  for  the  Lord’s 
■ sake;  whether  it  be  to  the  king,  as  supreme;  or 
i unto  governors,  as  unto  them  that  are  sent  by 
I him  for  the  punishment  of  evil  doers,  and  for  the 
praise  of  them  that  do  well.”  Are  you  a parent? 

: “And  ye  fathers,  provoke  not  your  children  to 
I wrath : but  bring  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  ad- 
monition of  the  Lord.”  Are  you  still  within  the 
1 limits  of  parental  control  ? “ Children  obey  your 

I parents  in  all  things : for  this  is  well-pleasing  unto 
the  Lord.”  Are  you  a master?  “Give  unto  your 


340 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal;  knowing 
that  ye  also  have  a master  in  heaven.”  Are  you 
a servant?  “Obey  in  all  things  your  masters  ac- 
cording to  the  flesh.”  Have  you  enemies  ? “ Love 
your  enemies,  bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good 
to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  which 
despitefully  use  you,  and  persecute  you.”  And  do 
you  Avish  to  know  how  to  act  toward  your  fellow- 
beings  generally?  “Do  good  unto  all  men,  es- 
pecially unto  them  who  are  of  the  household  of 
faith.” 

This  is  true  not  only  of  individuals,  hut,  also, 
of  nations,  and  of  the  whole  human  family.  All 
may  And  in  the  word  of  God  suitable  instruction ; 
something  to  guide  them  in  all  the  vicissitudes  of 
life.  And  if,  as  a young  man,  you  have  had,  and 
noAv  have  an  opportunity  of  reading  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  are  still  ignorant  of  the  path  of 
duty,  still  following  the  inchnations  of  an  evil 
heart,  and  are  still  in  the  road  to  death,  you  are 
without  excuse.  Dor  the  way  in  which  we  should 
walk  is  so  plainly  pointed  out  thereby,  that  “the 
wayfaring  man,  though  a fool,  need  not  err 
therein.” 

Again,  God  guides  by  his  Spirit. 

While  the  Word  of  God  seems  to  have  been  I 
given  more  especially  to  guide  man  in  his  exter- 
nal relations,  the  Spirit  is  given  to  inspire  the 
heart  Avith  proper  thoughts  and  affections,  and  to 
produce  that  feeling  of  dependence  upon,  and  sub- 
mission to  God,  which  prompts  us  to  look  up  to 
him  as  the  source  of  happiness,  and  to  be  gov- 
erned by  him  in  all  things  pertaining  to  our  sal- 
vation. This  is  the  great  object  in  view  upon  the 
part  of  Deity,  when  he  sends  the  DiAune  Spirit  to 
operate  upon  the  human  heart.  It  is  by  its  soft, 
and  silent,  and  yet  powerful  influences,  to  lead 
man  in  the  path  which  is  so  plainly  marked  out 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIEECTION.  341 


by  tbe  Word  of  God.  This  it  does  for  all  men, 
at  every  turn  of  life,  if  they  will  but  yield  to  those 
influences;  for  “it  takes  of  the  things  of  Christ, 
and  reveals  them  to  us.” 

No  matter  what  may  be  our  preconceived  no- 
tions, or  how  much  we  may  oppose  the  Christian 
religion,  or  how  much  we  may  love  the  ways  of 
sin,  it  reveals  to  us  our  condition;  ui’ges  us  to 
“depart  from  iniquity,”  and  to  obey  the  com- 
mands of  God.  Let  us  be  where  we  may,  in  the 
wide  waste,  or  in  the  city  full,  on  the  pathless 
ocean,  or  on  the  cloud-capt  mountain-top,  there 
is  the  Spirit  of  God,  to  enlighten  the  mind,  to 
show  us  our  danger  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  way 
of  safety  on  the  other.  In  the  darkest  hours  of 
distress,  it  is  ever  ready  with  its  consolations  to 
cheer  the  heart,  and  to  urge  us  on  in  our  journey 
to  the  skies. 

In  the  last  place,  God  guides  us  by  his  provi- 
dence, and  hy  his  judgments. 

It  is  true  that  some  of  the  dispensations  of  his 
providence  may  be  dark,  and  his  judgments  past 
finding  out.  They  may,  at  present,  be  mysterious. 
But,  though  clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about 
him,  justice  and  mercy  are  the  habitation  of  his 
throne.  A vail  may  separate  between  us  and  his 
throne,  and  behind  that  vail  he  may  transact  the 
affairs  of  the  universe,  where  no  mortal  eye  can 
see  him.  We  may  look  with  astonishment  at  va- 
rious events  that  transpire  around  us,  and  may 
wonder  at  the  “ pestilence  which  walketh  in  dark- 
ness,” at  the  devastating  storm  as  it  sweeps  away 
the  habitations  of  men ; we  may  wonder  why  it  is 
that  those  wlio  are  yet  young  and  may  still  be 
useful  to  their  fellow-beings,  are  permitted  so  soon 
to  fall  victims  to  the  monster  death;  while  those 
who  are  worn  down  by  age  and  affliction  are  jier- 
mitted  to  remain  so  long  in  pain  and  sorrow; 


342 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


these  and  a thousand  other  things  may  be  beyond 
our  comprehension. 

But,  after  all,  the  design  of  an  all-wise  Being 
is,  to  teach  man  knowledge,  and  to  show  him  the 
right  path.  And  if  he  will  pay  proper  attention 
to  the  ojDerations  of  his  hand,  he  will  soon  learn 
the  important  lesson  which  the  Prophet  had 
learned  when  he  said,  “ When  thy  judgments  are 
abroad  in  the  land,  the  inhabitants  thereof  will 
learn  righteousness.”  Most  young  men,  however, 
pay  but  little  attention  to  this  branch  of  the  di- 
vine administi’ation.  So  careless  are  they  in  re- 
gard to  it,  that  scarcely  any  impression  is  made 
upon  their  minds  by  any  thing  which  may  occur 
around  them. 

How  strange  ! that  after  God  has  done  so  much 
to  enlighten  the  mind  of  man,  to  elevate  his  moral 
condition,  and  to  impart  peace  and  joy  to  his  heart, 
that  he  should  treat  his  ofi'ers  with  contempt ! 
And  how  sad  the  reflection,  that  so  many  who 
have  the  Word,  and  Spirit,  and  providence  of  God 
to  guide  them  in  the  most  difficult  scenes  of  life, 
and,  finally,  to  the  shores  of  immortahty,  are  re- 
jecting the  “ counsel”  of  God,  and  seem  deter- 
mined to  pursue  a course  that  will  lead  them  to 
eternal  ruin. 

III.  Thirdly,  the  great  object  in  view,  upon  the 
part  of  Deity,  in  guiding  man  while  he  is  in  a 
state  of  probation. 

This  object  must  be  man’s  happiness  in  this 
world,  and  his  final  glorification. 

One  of  the  three  following  propositions  must  be 
true  : God  either  designs  that  we  shall  be  miser- 
able, or  he  is  indifferent  as  to  our  condition ; or 
he  desires  our  present  happiness  and  eternal  sal- 
vation. If  we  acknowledge  that  God  is  the  Crea- 
tor of  all  things,  we  are  bound  to  admit  one  of 
these  propositions.  • 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIEECTION.  343 


The  first  can  not  be  true;  for  if  God  had  in- 
tended that  man  should  be  miserable,  it  would 
have  been  a very  easy  matter  for  him  so  to  have 
made  him.  Every  thing  in  the  natural  world 
would  have  been  quite  differently  arranged.  In 
the  place  of  the  sweetest  harmony,  for  instance, 
every  sound  would  have  been  a discord.  That 
which  is  now  most  pleasing  to  the  eye,  and  beauti- 
ful to  behold,  would  have  been  loathesome  in  its 
appearance ; while  every  touch  would  have  pro- 
duced the  most  painful  sensation.  But  as  this  is 
not  the  case,  as  there  are  so  many  harmonious 
sounds,  and  beautiful  scenes,  and  pleasurable  sen- 
sations enjoyed  by  man,  we  must  conclude  that 
the  design  of  an  all-wise  Being  was  not  that  he 
should  be  miserable. 

Hor  can  it  be  said  that  he  is  indifferent  as  to 
our  condition ; for  when  we  look  around  us  we 
see  that  too  much  has  been  done,  and  is  still  being 
done  for  men,  which  goes  to  couti’adict  such  a 
statement.  All  natui’e  seems  to  be  working  to 
man’s  advantage ; and  in  ways  almost  innumerable 
is  he  invited  to  take  a higher  and  still  a higher 
stand,  that  he  may  enjoy  more  fully  the  blessings 
which  his  Creator  has  provided  for  him.  In  fact, 
scarcely  one  in  a thousand  can  be  found,  who  comes 
up  to  the  standard  of  happiness  which  is  attain- 
able on  earth,  if  man  would  but  act  his  part. 

Then  the  last  proposition  must  be  true  ; that  is, 
God  desires  the  happiness  of  his  creature  man. 
And  the  fact  that  he  has  given  us  a capacity  to 
enjoy  such  things  as  are  conducive  to  our  happi- 
ness, and  all  the  means  of  acquiring  it,  is  evidence 
of  the  correctness  of  this  position.  In  addition  to 
this,  he  enlightens  the  mind  of  man,  that  he  may 
have  correct  ideas  as  to  the  means  of  happiness; 
points  out  the  way  of  safety  in  all  the  different 
departments  of  life ; guides  us  by  his  counsel ; 


344 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


“ holds  us  by  the  right  hand and  not  on.y  en- 
ables us  to  secure  the  largest  amount  of  happiness 
that  can  be  enjoyed  in  this  life,  hut,  at  the  same 
time,  to  anticipate  the  joys  of  the  celestial  world. 

But  you  should  observe  that  the  words  of  the 
text  implies,  not  only  a willingness  upon  the  part 
of  Deity  to  guide  man  in  the  way  of  happiness, 
hut  a willingness  upon  the  part  of  man  to  submit 
to  his  instruction  and  direction.  The  Psalmist 
says,  “ Thou  shalt  guide  me,”  which  implies,  “ I 
am  willing  to  be  guided  by  thee,”  As  much  as  if 
he  had  said,  “ I will  forsake  the  ways  of  sin,  and 
all  its  pleasurable  amusements ; I will  no  longer 
follow  my  own  inclinations ; no  longer  trample 
upon  thy  laws;  no  longer  resist  the  influence  of 
thy  grace  and  Spirit  upon  my  heart;  no  longer 
neglect  thy  word;  no  longer  be  governed  by  the 
opinions  and  example  of  others ; no  longer  be 
guided  by  the  flickering  lights  held  up  by  men, 
but  thou  shalt  be  my  guide,” 

Pursuing  a course  of  this  kind,  he  now  has  a 
right  to  look  to  heaven  as  his  future  home.  Hence  ; 
he  says,  “Afterward  (thou  shalt)  receive  me  to  | 
glory,”  “ ^Tien  I shall  have  walked  long  enough 
in  thy  ways ; done  all  the  work  which  thou  hast 
assigned  me ; fllled  up  my  course  among  men ; 
borne,  with  patience,  the  privations,  misfortunes, 
and  disappointments  of  life;  when  I,  by  pursuing 
the  course  which  thou  hast  pointed  out,  shall  have 
been  sanctified  by  the  influence  of  divine  grace, 
and  made  lit  meat  for  the  master’s  use,  then  “ thou 
shalt  receive  me  to  glory,”  Observe,  the  author 
of  the  text  did  not  expect  this  without  the  neces- 
sary qualification.  And  he  was  willing  to  adopt 
those  measures,  and  to  use  those  means  by  which 
he  might  be  qualifled. 

Let  that  young  man,  who  has  been  raised  by 
pious  parents,  taught  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIKECTION.  345 

in  tlie  days  of  his  childhood,  and  who  understands 
the  plan  of  salvation  as  revealed  in  the  Glospel  of 
Christ,  remeniher  that  all  these  things  will  not 
prepare  him  for  the  glory  referred  fo  in  the  text, 
hut  that  the  heart  must  he  brought  under  submis- 
sion to  the  will  of  Grod. 

Many  who,  in  their  early  days,  were  religiously 
inclined,  from  the  pious  instructions  which  they 
received  from  their  parents,  have  departed  from 
the  counsel  of  God,  hardened  themselves  in  wicked- 
ness, and  now,  with  all  their  literary  fame  and 
scientific  investigations,  are  in  the  road  that  leads 
to  death.  How  important,  then,  that  all  young 
men  should  remember  the  divine  injunction,  “ In 
all  thy  ways  acknowledge  him,  and  he  shall  direct 
thy  steps.”  The  promise  to  such  is,  that  they 
shall  be  received  to  glory. 

But  what  is  implied  by  the  term  glory?  This 
we  are  unable  to  explain,  or  to  comprehend  fully. 
The  author  of  the  text,  though  he  had  a general 
idea  of  the  meaning  of  this  term,  and  used  it  ap- 
propriately, did  not  fully  understand  all  that  was 
meant  by  it.  As  used  in  the  text,  it  may  refer, 
literally,  to  the  brightness  and  splendor  that  was 
visible,  at  certain  times,  in  the  tabernacle  that  was 
built  by  Moses  in  the  wilderness,  or  to  the  same 
as  witnessed  by  the  Jewish  high  priests  in  the 
temple  built  by  Solomon.  Whatever  else  may  be 
included  in  the  meaning  of  this  term,  there  is, 
doubtless,  allusion  to  the  bright  manifestations  of 
the  divine  presence  to  those  around  the  throne  of 
God. 

In  this  land  of  sorrow,  where  the  mind  is  dark- 
ened by  sin,  shrouded  in  ignorance,  and  blinded 
by  the  god  of  this  world,  we  have  but  a faint 
conception  of  the  glory  of  the  eternal  world.  We 
may  feel  its  power  in  our  hearts,  we  may  see  that 
others  realize  its  influence  in  life  and  in  the  hour 


346 


LECTUEES  TO  YOUXG  MEX. 


of  death,  but  eternity  alone  can  unfold  to  our 
minds  all  that  is  meant  by  being  received  into 
glory. 

In  conclusion,  does  the  young  reader  desire, 
when  the  cares  of  life  have  passed  away,  to  enter 
into  glory  ? Who  does  not  wish  to  live  with  the 
redeemed  around  the  throne  of  Grod,  and  to  be 
associated  with  the  spirits  of  just  men  made  per- 
fect ? 

Such  a desire  is  almost  universal  among  those 
who  have  any  idea  of  the  heavenly  world.  And 
you,  young  man,  though  you  may  be  thoughtless 
and  prayerless,  though  you  may  he  neglecting  the 
teachings  of  the  Bible,  and  resisting  the  influence 
of  the  divine  spirit,  you  wish  to  live  finally,  in 
that  bright  world. 

But  bear  in  mind,  that  an  entrance  there  can 
only  be  obtained  by  pursuing  the  course  that 
David,  the  author  of  the  text,  did.  In  imagina- 
tion, we  see  him  as  he  resolves  to  make  heaven 
his  final  and  eternal  home,  and  the  grounds  upon 
wliich  he  was  induced  to  form  this  resolution.  He 
contemplates  the  path  of  sin,  and  sees  that  it  leads 
to  interminable  woe  and  misery.  He  looks  along 
the  path  of  the  just,  and  sees  that  it  leads  to  a 
life  of  endless  joy  and  happiness.  And  while  he 
desires  “ the  lot  of  the  righteous,”  he  reflects,  “ if 
I make  man  my  guide,  I shall  be  led  astray ; for 
the  best  men  in  all  ages  have  had  their  failings. 
I can  not  depend  upon  my  own  reason  and  judg- 
ment, for  they  are  not  sufiicient  to  guide  me  in 
the  right  way.  However  earnest  I may  be  in  the 
service  of  God,  and  however  honest  I may  be  with 
myself,  and  with  the  author  of  my  existence,  I 
am  inclined  to  rely  upon  my  own  righteousness 
and  good  performances.  When  I go  to  men  for 
instruction,  there  are  so  many  various  opinions, 
there  is  so  much  speculation  and  vain  philosophy, 


NECESSITY  OF  DIVINE  DIEECTION.  347 


SO  mncli  uncertainty  as  to  the  correctness  of  their 
reasonings,  that  I am  still  left  in  the  dark.  And 
while  he  thus  reflects  upon  his  condition,  and  his 
exposure  to  eternal  ruin,  knowing  that  God  was 
infinite  in  wisdom  and  power,  and  ready  to  sus- 
tain and  guide  all  who  would  put  their  trust  in 
him;  we  hear  him  exclaim,  in  the  language  of 
the  text,  “ thou  shalt  guide  me  by  thy  counsel, 
and  afterward  receive  me  to  glory 

Young  man,  you  may  have  your  mind  fixed 
upon  the  wealth,  the  honors,  and  the  pleasures  of 
the  world.  You  may  be  seeking  for  distinction 
and  position  among  men.  Be  this  as  it  may,  ne- 
glect not  the  counsel  of  God.  The  world  with  all 
its  wealth,  men  with  all  his  honor,  distinction, 
and  greatness,  will  soon  pass  away.  And  they 
alone  who  have  walked  according  to  divine  direc- 
tion, can  expect  to  be  received  into  glory,  and 
dwell  with  God  for  ever. 


THE  END. 


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